Karachi is facing a heartbreaking crisis: dozens of children have gone missing, and many still remain unaccounted for. In the past two months alone, 56 children, aged 0 to 18, have disappeared. Sadly, 22 of them are still missing. This ongoing issue reveals the failure of the state to protect its most vulnerable.
The Alarming Rise of Missing Children
Sarim, a 5-year-old boy, was last seen on January 7. He went to a madrassah with his brother but never returned home. His father, Mohsin Pervez, immediately began searching for him. However, the police took over nine hours to register an official report.
Sarim’s case is not an isolated one. Last year, nearly 400 children were reported missing across Karachi, with District East being the worst-hit area.
Police Response: Slow and Inefficient
The police response to missing children is a major concern. Research shows that every hour counts when a child is missing. Unfortunately, many parents face delays and indifference when reporting cases. Officers often dismiss the situation, assuming that older children have run away.
The Zainab Alert, Response, and Recovery Act (ZARRA) 2020 requires police to register an FIR within two hours of a child’s disappearance. Yet, the law is not always enforced. As a result, many families experience unnecessary delays and frustration.
A Call for Urgent Change
The rise in missing children in Karachi demands immediate action. The government must ensure quicker police responses, enforce the ZARRA Act, and improve child protection measures. Until these changes are made, families will continue to live in fear and uncertainty about their children’s safety.
