Kidnappings on the rise: ‘How can we send our kids to school?’

LAHORE: Lahore High Court on Tuesday sought a reply from the provincial government on a petition requesting an extension of summer vacations owing to an alleged increase in the number of kidnappings in various parts of the province. Javed, the petitioner, said the rise in the number of missing children had coincided with the end of summer vacations. He claimed this had led to increasing paranoia among parents regarding their children. “Millions of children will go to school each day without sufficient security…this could create mass hysteria.” The petitioner said he believed this could lead to more kidnappings. The Police Department had failed to provide security to people, he said. Javed requested the court to order the Education Department to extend summer vacations till the wave of kidnappings ceased. The court sought a reply on this from the Punjab government and adjourned hearing until August 23.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2016.