LAHORE: The Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA) claims to have traced the family of a Bangladeshi woman who had been separated from her loved ones for nearly four decades, through its ‘Mera Pyara’ initiative.

A statement by the authority said through persistent efforts and coordinated information-sharing, a Safe City team located Halima her son and nephew in Bangladesh, bringing renewed hope of family reunion after years of separation.

Halima, originally from Bangladesh, was found abandoned in Islamabad in 2013. Unable to speak or understand Urdu, she could not adequately communicate her identity, hometown or family details. She was shifted to an Edhi Centre where she had been residing for several years.

Taking up her case, the PSCA’s ‘Mera Pyara’ team initiated an extensive search operation based on the limited information provided by Halima. Leads from social media platforms, local administration and other available channels, the team extended its search beyond national borders to trace her family in Bangladesh. With the help of details about her native village and family members’ names, the team eventually succeeded in locating Halima’s son and nephew in Bangladesh.

The information was subsequently cross-verified through coordination with local authorities and family members, establishing the family’s identity.

Published in Dawn, November 6th, 2026