In Provincial Capital Peshawar more than 20 young Kids from different areas are missing.

By M.Ilyas

PESHAWAR – More than 20 young children from various areas of Peshawar have gone missing. These children and adolescents, many of whom were students at local schools and madrasas, are feared to be at risk of being used for terrorist activities. The missing children, who were abducted from different parts of the provincial capital, remain unaccounted for, with no leads on their whereabouts. The frequency of such incidents has been increasing. According to reliable sources, in the past month alone, over 20 children and youths, including madrasa and school students, have vanished without a trace. Their disappearances have been reported to different police stations across the city. There are growing concerns that these young individuals may be at risk of being exploited for terrorist activities, such as suicide bombings, especially as terrorism continues to plague Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where a fresh wave of violence has taken hold. There is also the possibility that these children have fallen victim to organ traffickers. Sources indicate that most of these missing boys are under the age of 18. So far, no organized trafficking gangs or individuals responsible for their abduction have been identified, nor have there been any reports of them being taken abroad. The missing children come from various areas of the city, including Hayatabad, Yaka Toot, Budhani, Peshtakhara, Bara Gate, Kohat Adda, Kohat Road, Ring Road, Nawa Kalay, Haryana, Tajabad, Tehkal, Swati Gate, Naguman, Daudzai, Charsadda Road, Mathra, Urmar, and other localities. Despite these incidents being reported to the police, law enforcement and other relevant authorities appear to be neglecting the seriousness of the matter, with little action taken to address the issue. Sources also noted similar disappearances of young people recently in Gilgit-Baltistan, raising concerns of a wider problem. The families of the missing children are in distress, while the rising number of such incidents poses a significant threat to public safety. Parents are being urged to take these incidents seriously, and there are calls for the formation of special teams dedicated to locating the missing children. Authorities must recognize the unusual nature of these disappearances and respond with full commitment to prevent further incidents and safeguard these children from being exploited in terrorist activities. When contacted by The Daily Independent, Capital City Police Officer Qasim Ali Khan dismissed these reports, calling them entirely incorrect. He also denied the claims circulating on social media, where missing person reports and photographs, along with contact information, are being shared in appeals for public assistance.