While missing persons are often linked to regions experiencing conflict, political instability, or economic hardship, this issue is not confined to those areas— it also affects developed countries.
In developed nations, missing persons cases can involve a broad spectrum of individuals: children, elderly people with senile dementia, those fleeing domestic abuse, and adults who choose to disappear for personal reasons. Over 600,000 people go missing in the USA annually, with countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia also reporting thousands. Although most of these cases are resolved quickly, with many individuals found within days or weeks, many disappearances remain unsolved. These disappearances are varied, shaped by a mix of social, psychological, and criminal factors.
The situation in Pakistan is quite different. Here, many missing persons are believed to be taken by intelligence agencies. The country has been severely affected by terrorism, particularly since the War on Terror. Pakistani Army soldiers and officers are direct targets of terrorist groups such as BLA or TTP. When the government and law enforcement agencies take decisive actions against these terrorist factions, human rights advocates often intervene swiftly. However, they tend to remain silent when other countries take even stricter measures against similar threats.
Our judicial system is widely recognized for its inefficiencies. This can lead to the wrongful conviction of innocents, while the true culprits often evade justice. In this context, whenever our agencies detain someone for investigation or evidence gathering, accusations of coercive and unlawful arrests are often made. However, I firmly believe our agencies do not apprehend innocent people without cause, and there is always a legitimate reason behind these arrests. Every missing person has a story, and our religion teaches us to love and serve our country.
While blaming the agencies for allegedly capturing innocents, it is important to remember that many such arrests have led to the identification of terrorists, anti-state elements, and foreign agents. Terrorists rarely admit to their crimes voluntarily, and thorough investigations are essential to extract information. National security is a top priority, and no nation compromises on this matter. Many columnists and journalists who frequently criticize agencies, often focusing on only one aspect. In offering a comprehensive and honest view, I do not claim all missing persons are guilty, as it is not my place, nor that of journalists, to make such determinations. Only a proper investigation can do so.
As in developed countries, several factors contribute to the phenomenon here. Not all individuals who go missing fall under the jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies; some are linked to terrorist organizations and engage in activities against the state. Individuals connected to terrorism may go into hiding to avoid capture. Additionally, some disappear due to personal conflicts, seeking refuge in remote areas to escape potential retaliation from enemies. Some may be involved in smuggling or other criminal activities, and go into hiding to avoid detection. The classification of these individuals as missing persons can be either intentional or unintentional, shaped by deliberate actions or a lack of understanding. Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies have consistently worked to protect fundamental rights. In doing so, Pakistan’s security forces have made numerous sacrifices to ensure the safety and well-being of both individuals and society. Despite their steadfast commitment, however, these agencies are often unfairly accused in connection with missing persons, with such claims lacking solid evidence. Moreover, a targeted social media campaign has fuelled the spread of misinformation.
While human rights organizations often scrutinize the actions of security forces, they frequently overlook the underlying causes or the realities on the ground. Voluntary disappearances, sometimes mistaken for enforced disappearances, are common, with individuals choosing to vanish without informing their families. Investigations have also uncovered instances where individuals deliberately disappear to avoid arrest by law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, identifying abandoned deceased individuals presents a significant challenge. According to detailed statistics from Edhi and Chippa, over 35,000 abandoned bodies have been buried in the country by these two NGOs alone since 2005.
It is essential to distinguish between missing persons and enforced disappearances, as many missing individuals are later found to have been casualties of security forces during counterterrorism operations. For example, in a past case, terrorist Karim Jan, listed as missing, was killed during an attack on the Gwadar Port Authority complex, and his sister later requested his body. Similarly, the sister of terrorist Abdul Wadud Satakzai had been searching for him since 12 August 2021, only to discover his death in the Mach attack.
A comparative analysis of missing person reports highlights the seriousness of this issue. In the USA, the National Crime Information Center recorded 521,705 cases in its 2021 report. The UK’s Missing Persons Unit documented 241,064 cases for 2020-2021. A 2018 news report from Germany cited 11,000 missing person cases. In India, missing person cases reached 347,524 in 2018. According to the Asian Federation against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir saw 8,000 cases between 1989 and 2012. Nepal reported 10,418 cases in 2020-2021. This clearly illustrates the widespread nature of missing person cases.
The government is actively involved in efforts to locate missing persons. The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, which succeeded the Commission on Missing Persons formed in 2011 under the Interior Ministry, is diligently working on tackling this. Since 2010, the CoIoED has received 10,405 cases, resolving 8,144 (78 percent) with 2,261 still under investigation. Of these, 1,183 cases were thoroughly examined, leading to the identification of 467 entries in official records, such as updates to family trees, SIM card issuances, travel histories, and vaccine registrations. Among these entries, 369 individuals were identified, with 38 having multiple entries. This included 35 matches in surveillance systems, 17 confirmed deaths, 11 individuals with passports or weapon licences, 3 with international travel histories, 113 with updated or mismatched family trees, 158 with vaccine updates, and 130 who were issued new SIMs.
It is clear that these small groups and their so-called leaders are using the issue of missing persons purely as a political tool, with no real concern for the genuine issues facing the people of Pakistan. The people of Pakistan are well aware of the true motives of these anti-state elements and strongly support the effective measures taken by the government and the Pakistani Army in combating terrorism
Security forces have confirmed the custody of 1,292 individuals arrested on charges related to terrorism, espionage, or criminal activities. Of these, 925 are being held in internment centres, while 367 are undergoing rehabilitation in de-radicalization programmes. All these actions have been carried out transparently and in accordance with the law, disproving the claim that law enforcement agencies abduct individuals without declaring custody. Detainees in internment and rehabilitation centres are afforded full legal rights, including family visits and access to legal representation. Punishments are meted out through the judicial process, countering the myth that individuals in custody are denied basic rights.
The claim that thousands are missing in Balochistan is also misleading. Official records show 2,911 missing person cases, with 2,459 (84 percent) resolved and 452 still under investigation. Analysis of resolved cases reveals that 2,049 individuals have returned home, 2 are declared interned, 26 were found in jails, 47 were confirmed deceased, 277 cases were not categorized as enforced disappearances, and 58 petitions were dismissed.
The narrative of a “Baloch genocide” is also based on fabricated claims. Dr. Mahrang Baloch acknowledged that families of individuals killed in anti-terrorism operations in Iran were included in “missing persons” protests.
The myth that “people highlighting missing persons’ cases are targeted” is false. Activists such as Mama Qadeer, Nasrullah Baloch, Amina Masood Janjua, Manzoor Pashteen, Imaan Mazari, and Mohsin Dawar continue to voice their concerns without facing intimidation. They have had meetings with senior officials, including the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers, demonstrating the government’s commitment to addressing their legitimate concerns. Pakistan has been overly lenient with anti-state elements, resulting in these groups openly using social media to spread false propaganda against the state. Even in the USA, law enforcement agencies swiftly apprehend those spreading hate and fake news.
Another misconception is that the Missing Persons’ Commission is ineffective and used to cover up state policies on enforced disappearances. The CoIoED plays a crucial role in coordinating with law enforcement and intelligence agencies, addressing family concerns, and collaborating with international organizations to ensure compliance with human rights standards. Among the 5,006 cases submitted by Akhtar Mengal to the Balochistan government, 1,208 were verified, and 1,153 were located. Of these, 1,038 individuals returned home, while 3,798 cases remained unverified. The claim that a Truth and Reconciliation Commission is the sole solution disregards the considerable progress made by the CoIoED.
While the reported number of missing persons cases in Pakistan is relatively low, both domestic and international actors have made concerted efforts to portray Pakistan as a country with a large number. There is undeniable evidence that banned militant groups are recruiting Pakistani nationals for terrorist activities, offering substantial compensation to destabilize the country. Simultaneously, despite the relatively low number of missing person cases in Pakistan, both domestic and foreign adversaries have attempted to depict Pakistan as a nation with a significant population of missing individuals. These hostile elements exploit figures like Dr Mahrang Baloch, Imaan Mazari, and certain journalists, anchors, and social media activists to spread false propaganda and incite hatred against Pakistan. These anti-state forces are manipulating public sentiment by presenting a distorted view of the situation.
It is clear that these small groups and their so-called leaders are using the issue of missing persons purely as a political tool, with no real concern for the genuine issues facing the people of Pakistan. The people of Pakistan are well aware of the true motives of these anti-state elements and strongly support the effective measures taken by the government and the Pakistani Army in combating terrorism.
