Enforced disappearance: Missing Indian’s mother appeals for son’s return

Nehal Ansari went missing from Kohat two years ago, whereabouts remain unknown.


Zeeshan Anwar November 20, 2014

PESHAWAR: The mother of Indian national Nehal Hamid Ansari who went missing from Pakistan two years ago has appealed to Pakistani authorities to “release her innocent son”.

Speaking to Daily Express via telephone from India, Fauzia Ansari said her son has been missing since November 2012 and was in Kohat, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa at the time of his disappearance.

According to Fauzia, Nehal, an engineer, left India to land a job in Afghanistan. “He was in contact with a girl from Kohat via the internet which is why he also went there,” she said.

Nehal rented a room in Palwasha Hotel near Bus Stand in Kohat. But from there, he was picked up by the police and later the security agencies, she claimed.

Nehal’s family has not heard from him since then and has been trying to locate him. Fauzia has filed a petition in the Supreme Court of India seeking the Indian government’s help in the matter and has also submitted an application to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s office.

“Being Muslims, we are suspected by Indian authorities and law-enforcement agencies, while in Pakistan, we are suspected of wrongdoing based on our Indian nationality,” Fauzia said.

She requested the Pakistani authorities to release her son on humanitarian grounds.

Zeenat Shehzadi, a human rights activist in Pakistan, is also striving for Nehal’s freedom. She along with Nehal’s mother has filed a petition at the Peshawar High Court, and the court has directed Kohat police to probe the matter and submit a report.

“Nehal’s belongings are in the possession of a man named Hamza,” police officer Faizullah Khan told Daily Express. He confirmed Nehal’s Indian nationality, but refrained from saying anything else.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2014.

COMMENTS (1)

fauzia | 9 years ago | Reply

My son is innocent. He has done the mistake of trusting his Pakistani friends Attaur rehman awan, Saba khan, dr.shazia khan, , Abdullahkhatak and all those who instigated and provoked him to help and rescue the kohat girl who was victim of social evil swara. I am struggling like a mad to help my son who is innocent. I have not left any stone unturned within my reach. I am not an influential person so my voice and pain is ignored. I knocked my supreme court's door, though I didn't find much hope there but indepire out of the court's wall I met the severe accident of my life. my leg is broken.severe head injury and multiple fractures. still this mother has not lost hope. I will continue my struggles toy get my son back. Though I am in hospital now. I will get well soon and will work on my mission.

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ