Government announces financial aid for families of missing persons

The federal government announced a new initiative under the "National Consensus and Legal Resolution" programme to provide financial aid to families of missing persons, offering Rs5 million to each affected family to alleviate their economic hardships.

The grant is designated for families of those who have been missing for more than five years.

The government clarified that this move should not be interpreted as an admission of responsibility by the state or its institutions but as a sincere and compassionate effort to share the pain of the affected families.

The initiative was discussed during a cabinet meeting, where the importance of respecting and safeguarding the lives of all citizens was highlighted.

The government is taking steps to address the issue of missing persons through the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (CIED).

Despite the complex and varied reasons behind the disappearances, the federal government aims to set a high standard of welfare by demonstrating empathy and support for those affected.

The government emphasised that while the state may not be directly responsible for the disappearances, it remains committed to assisting the families and working towards resolving the issue.

The move is part of Pakistan's broader efforts to reinforce legal and protective measures to address the missing persons crisis.