Two weeks on: Police clueless about missing Skardu students

Niaz Ali, Muhammad Habib went missing on January 22 after praying at a mosque.

GILGIT: Police still have no clues as to the whereabouts of two college students who disappeared nearly two weeks ago from a village of Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Niaz Ali and Muhammad Habib, students of class 12 at Government Degree College Skardu, went missing on January 22.

“My son had gone to a nearby mosque to offer prayers after having his lunch that day,” Mohsin Ali, Niaz Ali’s father, told The Express Tribune on Tuesday. “He was accompanied by his friend, Muhammad Habib, who also lives in our neighbourhood.”



The unexplained disappearance of the college students has weighed heavily on their families. Over the past two weeks, Niaz and Muhammad’s parents have left no stone unturned to find them.

“We have been searching for the boys for 12 days now,” Ali said. “A police complaint has been registered and notices have been pasted on walls across the village. But there is still no trace of my son and his friend. We are deeply worried.” According to Niaz’s father, his family has no personal enmity with anyone and had moved to Skardu 22 years ago from Gultari area of Astore Valley.

“I don’t know why anyone would do something like this,” said Mohsin Ali. “At this stage, I don’t suspect anyone. Moreover, I am satisfied with the way police is dealing with the matter.”

The case, however, has confused local police officials and investigators alike.

“We are still trying to examine the finer details of the matter and determine the whereabouts of the college students,” an investigator told The Express Tribune. “We shouldn’t lose hope at this stage.”

Although the police are investigating the matter, Ali hopes for a miracle that will reunite him with his son. “I wish someone comes forward with substantial evidence to assist the investigation,” he said.  “A large number of residents go to the same mosque to offer their prayers. I am sure someone noticed my son and his friend, and can help us trace their whereabouts.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th, 2015.