Kidnapped children: Govt told to explain inaction over abductions

Chief justice asks Pemra, channels to publicise about kids recovered

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court has sought a detailed response from the Punjab government in a petition seeking proper security for schoolchildren amid increasing reports of kidnappings across the province.

On Tuesday, LHC Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah passed the order while hearing the matter of alleged abductions of children from various cities of Punjab.

The court also directed the government to submit its report on the appointment of security guards for buses, vans and rickshaws used for transporting schoolchildren as well as the steps taken to stop the illegal transplantation of child organs.

The chief justice constituted a committee and tasked it to come up with suggestions on how to provide security to the children. Police told the court that 44 children were reported missing but efforts were being made to recover them.



Punjab Human Transplant Authority’s Administrator Faisal Masood said the illegal transplantation of organs was continuing in private healthcare institutions owned by ‘influential’ people.

Police, he alleged, did not dare to arrest them despite knowing it. Such elements can easily be brought to justice by engaging the services of provincial intelligence wings, he added.

An officer representing the school managements said a notification regarding deployment of security guards for school buses, vans and rickshaws had been issued.

During the hearing, the LHC chief justice also directed Pemra and TV channels to advertise the recovery of the kidnapped children so they could be reunited with their families.

The top judge also directed police to submit a report on the previous five years of children who went missing and were recovered. The report would be sent to the Child Protection Bureau for taking positive steps for their welfare.

The court has adjourned the hearing until October 27.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 21^st, 2016.