Punhal Sario vows to continue struggle for recovery of missing persons

Activist addresses first press conference after release from captivity on October 18

HYDERABAD: The convener of the Voice for Missing Persons of Sindh, Punhal Sario, has urged authorities to release all the missing people who are not involved in violence, terrorism and extremism. Addressing his first press conference in Hyderabad on Sunday, 25 days after his release from 75-day captivity, Sario pressed the case for the people he described as peaceful citizens who are subjected to enforced disappearance.

"I was working peacefully for human rights and will continue to work in a peaceful way," he declared. Sario had been whisked away from Hyderabad on August 3 and was released on October 18. In the period of his disappearance, his family had filed a petition in the Sindh High Court and also lodged an FIR at the GOR police station in whose jurisdiction he was picked up.

Briefly narrating the ordeal of his prolonged confinement, Sario shared the physical and mental stress he went through. "I gained many experiences [during the enforced disappearance]. Adverse effects on my health due to fear and mental stress were bound to happen naturally. I was given medicine [during captivity] but because of fear and stress my health condition deteriorated," he said.



He told the media that he is still receiving medical treatment after his release. "I think detaining a free citizen for so long in solitary confinement is a bad act," he said.

Sario also recalled his struggle for the safe recovery of missing persons at the press conference. He stated names of at least six persons who were released due to his activism.

The activist claimed that he had never been involved in any crime, violence or anti-state activity. "I am not booked in any FIR at any police station in Pakistan for violence, extortion or for conniving with enemies of Pakistan," he asserted.



He requested the authorities to set free all detainees against whom no evidence of extremism, terrorism and violence existed. Sario declared that he would continue activism for the missing persons, adding that the Voice for Missing Persons of Sindh would soon hold a meeting to deliberate on its future course of action.