The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued directives to Pak authorities to accelerate investigations and efforts for the recovery of 11 missing persons, emphasizing the need for compensation to be provided to their families. Among the missing individuals are two siblings.

During a division bench hearing on Monday (April 29), petitions for the recovery of the missing persons were heard, with lawyers highlighting instances of citizens being abducted or taken into custody from various areas and urging the court to intervene.

Expressing dissatisfaction with the provincial government and police, Justice Arshad Hussain Khan underscored the anguish experienced by the families of the missing persons, emphasizing the emotional toll of their prolonged absence.

Moreover, Justice Zulfiqar Ali Sangi criticized the lack of awareness among officers regarding court orders for recovery efforts and compensation payments, condemning the indifferent attitude displayed by authorities.

Highlighting instances of negligence, Sangi emphasized the urgency of prompt action for investigation and recovery of the missing persons. Additionally, the court expressed disappointment with the unpreparedness of lawyers of Pakistani establishment and Sindh government, noting their lack of clarity on the cases they represent.

Sindh government lawyers assured that the provincial government would compensate families of individuals confirmed as forcibly disappeared, while urging families yet to submit requests to the Interior Ministry to do so promptly.

In a decisive move, the court ordered authorities to ensure prompt compensation for the families of forcibly disappeared persons, emphasizing the critical need for justice and accountability in such cases.

Several fish farmers in Pakistan occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (POGB) are facing dire financial losses following the devastating floods of 2022. Despite the occupying government promises of a relief package to aid those who suffered livelihood setbacks, the assistance remains elusive, leaving fishermen in a prolonged state of hardship.

Iqbal Hussain, one of the affected fishermen, reportedly recounts the significant losses incurred during the floods and expresses frustration over the puppet government’s failure to deliver on its commitments. Despite surveys and paperwork conducted by authorities in the aftermath of the disaster, no tangible relief measures have materialized to date.

Meanwhile, high-interest loans offered by banks are unaffordable for many, exacerbating their financial struggles. The delay in receiving relief packages not only affects fish farmers but also impacts their employees and businesses dependent on the fish industry.

While the puppet government boasts of initiatives such as the construction of cold stores and provision of fish feeds, nothing materialised. In fact, promised schemes for feed assistance have been revoked, adding to the fishermen’s woes.

Notably, the occupying government in POGB is working directly under the influence of Islamabad, with the responsibility towards people as a part-time duty. Any step taken for the betterment of people comes directly from Pakistan, making people vulnerable and highly dependent on imperial Pakistani establishment.

Khurram agency police have busted a child trafficking syndicate and arrested an accused who supplied innocent children to FC and intelligence agencies for sexual abuse.

Accused Syed Tahir Qubad Shakheel used to supply innocent children to 73 Brigade including FC, MI, etc. In the last five years, dozens of children of Parachinar have been subjected to sexual abuse, abuse, while their videos were also made.

Mostly, these children are under 14 years of age. More than 600 videos have been recovered from the laptop of the accused. According to local sources, hundreds of children have been sexually abused.

Reportedly, the accused was arrested earlier too, but was released due to the pressure of a captain and a major of the Pakistan Army. The accused admitted that video clips of child abuse were made and money was also obtained by blackmailing the parents.

The latest expose of the child trafficking syndicate, involving Pak Army and its intelligence agencies, is one of the biggest expose of the nexus between all sort of criminals, including abusers, and Pakistan Army. They not only exploit people but also make money from their ordeal leaving the victim and their family with no legal recourse.

In a fresh case of brutality against the activists raising voice for the cause of missing persons, Pakistan intelligence agencies have abducted Sindhi youths from their houses. In a first incident, they raided the home of the late Razzaq Shar and forcibly abducted his son Bashir Shar on April 28.

They also assaulted the mother and sisters of Bashir who opposed the abduction. Explaining the ordeal, Bashir’s brother said that on August 16, 2020, he was also abducted along with Bashir and was alone released after over five months. Bashir, then 16-year-old minor, was implicated in terrorism cases and was incarcerated for over two and half years before being released on January 38, 2023. The only reason for their abduction was their acquaintance with the cause of missing persons. He said that he use to go to the camps for missing persons and participate in the protests.

He said that Bashir was not involved in activism and after his release, he left the city for work. Bashir recently returned for his brother’s marriage and was abducted by Pak intelligence.

Additionally, at 5 p.m. the same day, Sindhi Nationalist Darya Khan Brahmani from Karachi was also abducted by Pakistan intelligence agencies.

Jeay Sindh Freedom Movement, the Sindhi Nationalist organisation fighting for Sindh’s independence, has condemned the coward act of abducting Sindhi youths by Pak intelligence agencies and termed it as “state terrorism”. Chairman of the organisation, Sohail Abro urged the international organizations including international human rights organizations to take action against the violation of human rights in Sindh and Balochistan by the Pakistan Army, take notice and release the national activists.

Unknown assailants have carried out a brutal attack on a Shia mosque in northwestern Afghanistan, resulting in the tragic loss of at least seven lives, including that of a child.

The targeted mosque, located in Guzara District of Herat Province, became the scene of horror as two armed men on a motorcycle fired while Shia Muslims were engaged in their prayers.

Reportedly, among the victims of this senseless act of violence is the mosque’s imam, adding to the grievous toll of casualties. Additionally, several others have been reported wounded in the attack.

The Afghan Taliban regime and Herat’s security officials have yet to issue any statements regarding the incident. Moreover, no individual or group has come forward to claim responsibility for the assault, leaving the motives behind the attack shrouded in mystery.

This is not the first instance of such violence targeting the Shia community in Afghanistan. A grim reminder comes from a similar attack in December, where seven people, including two Shia clerics and four women, fell victim to an assault targeting a rickshaw in Herat’s provincial capital.

Shia Muslims constitute a minority in Afghanistan, primarily comprising members of the Hazara community. Despite being the poorest ethnic group in the country, accounting for approximately 22 percent of the population, they have frequently faced persecution and violence. Extremist groups, including the Daesh Takfiri terrorist organization, have been implicated in large-scale kidnappings and killings targeting the Shia community across Afghanistan.

Last year, Afghanistan witnessed another devastating attack on a mosque in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, where a bombing orchestrated by Daesh claimed the lives of at least 31 worshippers and left over 80 others injured.

Sessions Judge of South Waziristan District Shakirullah Marwat, was abducted by the terrorists of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) from Manji khel in Tank district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Later his video was released in which he claimed that he was abducted by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and that if Pakistan Army and establishment accepts the demands of the terrorist organisation he would be released. He said, “Taliban brought me here from Tank, which is a jungle and war prone area. They have some demands and until those would not be fulfilled, I would not be released.”

Assuring his family, he said he was safe but would not be released until the abductors’ demand would not be met. He requested the Chief Justice of Peshawar High Court, Chief Justice of Pakistan, government of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and government of Pakistan to fulfil the demands of the terrorists.

Meanwhile, the Pashtun activists has accused Pakistan Army of harbouring terrorism that led to the undesired incident. They also argued that the Pashtun Sessions Judge was abducted because of his ethnic identity.