Missing three-year-old found begging

Child's friend saw him outside mosque, alerted his uncle

KARACHI:

A three-year-old boy missing for nearly three months was recovered after a chance encounter led to his dramatic rescue. Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the abduction, who allegedly forced the child into begging.

According to police officials, Hussain Ali, a mentally challenged child, went missing on May 4 while playing near his home in Sector 17-A of Shah Latif Town.

The boy's father, Asif Hussain, a vegetable vendor from Multan, recounted the family's ordeal while speaking to The Express Tribune. He explained that his son disappeared while accompanying him at their roadside stall. "We kept praying and, by the grace of God, our son has finally been found. We are grateful beyond words," he said.

The breakthrough came when a young friend of Hussain Ali spotted him near Farooq-e-Azam Mosque. The boy had accompanied his father for prayers and recognised Hussain Ali outside the mosque with a man, later identified as a professional beggar, who was allegedly forcing the child to beg.

"I saw a suspicious man with a child who looked like my missing friend. I immediately alerted his uncle, who was inside the mosque," the boy said.

Nasir Hussain contacted police, who recovered the child from the scene and arrested the suspect, identified as Shahryar.

According to Sadaruddin Mirani, SHO Shah Latif police station, initial questioning revealed that Shahryar's father-in-law had allegedly found the child in the Saudabad area. Shahryar admitted to using the boy for begging, claiming he did so to arrange food for him as he was unemployed.