LAHORE: Alarming reports emerge as the bustling city of Lahore, the capital of Punjab, grapples with a distressing surge in kidnappings, primarily targeting women and children. In a disconcerting turn of events, the local law enforcement authorities appear to be facing significant challenges in curbing this growing crisis.
According to the latest updates, a total of nine individuals have fallen victim to these distressing incidents, leading to the immediate registration of cases by the authorities. Among the victims are three young siblings who were tragically abducted from the Shirakot area. Noreen Bibi’s children, Anbrin (11 years old), Imdad Ali (8 years old), and Haider Ali (5 years old), were taken from their home by unidentified individuals.
Meanwhile, in the Chohang area, a woman and her two children have gone missing under mysterious circumstances. Ayman Bibi, accompanied by her two children, Muzamil (5 years old) and Mah Jabeen (2 years old), embarked on a journey from Chichawatani to Thokarniazbeg base by bus. Shockingly, all three have disappeared without a trace, and the woman’s phone is also reported to be switched off.
In yet another heart-wrenching incident, a 13-year-old girl was abducted while she was on her way to purchase Sauda Salaf in the Faisal Town area. Humira, the daughter of Nizam Din, has been missing since the unfortunate incident. Additionally, a 12-year-old boy fell victim to an abduction in the Hanjarwal area. Akbar Ali, the nephew of Muhammad Arshad Sagar, was taken while returning from school.
The crisis has also touched the lives of the very young, with a 7-year-old girl being kidnapped from the Kot Lakhpat area. Safia, the daughter of Iftikhar Ali, was abducted while playing outside with other children.
On the other hand Punjab police was busy in arresting and targeting PTI workers, at least 80 PTI workers were captured during a crackdown on PTI workers convention. PTI candidate for National Assembly from NA-123 (Kahna Nau), Advocate Afzaal Azeem Pahat had formally sought permission to hold a corner meeting in the constituency and preparations were accordingly afoot. PML-N president Shehbaz Sharif has contested from this constituency in the past.
However, the police raided Mr Pahat and his elder brother’s residence and offices early in the morning. According to PTI leaders, police entered the private quarters without warrants and harassed the men, as well as the women and children of their household. Police also picked up some 80 PTI workers and supporters from the convention venue and Mr Pahat’s law offices. Following the crackdown, the planned convention did not take place.
Condemning what he described as “state terrorism” against party workers, PTI secretary general Omar Ayub Khan commented, “One country, two systems”. “PTI Workers Convention organisers’ home and law chambers are raided and vandalised, but a convicted, absconder prisoner, Mian Nawaz Sharif, is given full protocol,” he lamented in a posting on X.
The party pointed out that it had obtained permission for the public meeting from the deputy commissioner’s office, which had directed the DIG (Operations) and the Chief Traffic Officer, Lahore, to take the required measures in this connection.
