Lost, not found: Warn children not to wander off, says helpline

"More children get kidnapped during holidays and festive occasions," says Madadgaar’s founder.

KARACHI:

Though Eidul Azha is supposed to be a joyous occasion, it might become a nightmare for some families if parents don’t keep watch. According to Madadgaar Helpline, many children get lost or kidnapped during the occasion when they excitedly stray too far from home to see animals getting sacrificed.

The helpline is concerned about the increasing number of missing children cases in Karachi and is worried that there might be more during the Eid holidays if parents don’t keep an eye on their children. It dealt with around 170 missing children cases this year from January to September - 11 in January, eight in February, 12 in March, 16 in April, 21 in May, 29 in June, 15 in July, 39 in August and 19 in September. Very few children are found - the helpline managed to locate only ten children in the last nine months. The spike in the number of missing children during June and August was because of summer and Eidul Fitr holidays. There could be more cases on Eidul Azha as children excitedly wander off from home to see goats, cows and camels in their neighbourhood.

Zia Ahmed Awan, Madadgaar’s founder, said that the cases are a manifestation of Pakistan’s weak child protection system and that more children get kidnapped during holidays and festive occasions. He added that most families of missing children complain about a lack of cooperation from the police department.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2012.