Still missing but not forgotten

Investigations into the disappearance of Salman Haider has borne the most fruit thus far

The men who have been reported ‘missing’ remain missing. This did not happen by accident. They were not the victims of some ‘mishap’ they were taken, held against their will — and as noted previously in this newspaper the most likely suspect is the state itself or one of its nameless shadowy proxies that operate in the twilight. These men were not particularly high-profile activists merely people who spoke out, raised awkward questions and demanded answers. They were part of the warp and weft of a pluralist society. Foreign media organisations are taking notice — more bad press for Pakistan. The men endangered nobody in any physical sense but challenged the status quo — and the status-quo has bitten back. The longer they are gone the less likely they are ever to return.

Investigations into their disappearance are half-hearted at best; and that into the disappearance of Salman Haider has borne the most fruit thus far. Footage from CCTV cameras that are part of the ‘Safe Cities’ initiative reveal that he was likely carried in a Toyota Surf that had a fake number plate, but only one camera caught the vehicle as it drove towards Rawalpindi. His last mobile phone record showed him to be on the Islamabad Expressway, and a message somewhat mysteriously was sent to his wife telling her where his car was and suggesting that she pick it up. Hardly standard procedure one might think, and one might wonder if the message was sent by his abductors rather than Mr Haider himself. The family of Mr Haider report that the police have been ‘cooperative’ but thus far offered little beyond reassurance. There appears to be no coordinated plan of action remarked the missing man’s brother. If there is a brighter side to this unhappy circumstance, it is that there have been protests in several cities and they have been well organised and attended, unusually so as such events rarely attract a large crowd. All those attending such gatherings are themselves targets, they will be covertly recorded, and may themselves disappear in due course. Extremism is tolerated, not so dissent.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th, 2017.

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