Missing Persons- The Reality

Raashid Wali Janjua

26 February 2024

Published in: The Express Tribune

Missing persons issue in Pak is being framed as a serious human rights and anti- state narr by relatives as well as lobbies associated with missing persons. Grey zone b/w facts and accusations is filled by speculation and calumny covering truth in a miasma of half-truths and accusations.
Govt of Pak has dealt with missing persons’ cases with special care offering munificent rehabilitative package to affected families incl those who died fighting Pak Army and those whose family members got killed during conduct of ops by mil.
In Bln, issue is being used to whip up public hatred against LEAS at behest of hostile intelligence agencies such as RAW. A narr of alienation of Baloch people is being sedulously nurtured using activists like Mahrung Baloch who was actually helped by state after death of her father Abdul Chaffar Lango, an alleged BLA militant.
Missing persons’ phenomenon is a global issue rooted. Phenomenon should best be treated like a pathology with right prophylactic treatment instead of expensive curative dosages with serious side effects of anti-state sentiment.