The issue of missing persons in Pakistan is a contentious and highly politicized topic that is often used to smear the country’s law enforcement agencies. The persistent propaganda around enforced disappearances is largely unfounded and far removed from reality. Contrary to claims by various human rights activists and opposing groups, many of the so-called missing have gone into hiding for personal reasons, tribal disputes or left their homes to join terrorist organisations such as the Afghanistan-based Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qaeda, ISIS/ISKP and other foreign-based terrorist organisations.
As part of its ongoing efforts to address the issue of missing persons, the Government of Pakistan formalized the Committee of Investigation into Enforced Disappearances (CoIoED), which was set up by the Ministry of Interior on the directives of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on March 1, 2011. According to the latest statistics released by the CoIoED on January 1, 2023, out of a total of 9,203 missing persons cases reported since March 2011, 7,001 cases (over 76%) have been traced, located or disposed of. This high resolution rate highlights the complex nature of the issue, which includes voluntary disappearances, personal enmities, fugitives, etc.
It is important to understand that the phenomenon of missing persons is not unique to Pakistan but is a global issue affecting many countries, including developed nations. According to the 2021 report of the US National Crime Information Center (NCIC), over 521,705 missing persons were reported in the United States. Similarly, the UK Missing Persons Unit (MPU) Data Report 2019/20 recorded 325,171 cases during the period. In Germany, around 11,000 people were reported missing in 2018. Regionally, India reported 347,524 missing persons in 2018, while Iran has an estimated 50,000-60,000 missing persons.
Though Pakistan has been engaged in the fight against terrorism for the past two decades, the number of missing persons is relatively low compared to global statistics. As of January 1, 2023, the Commission on Missing Persons had registered 9,203 cases, of which 7,001 were resolved, 977 were in custody on terrorism charges, and 620 were incarcerated for criminal offences. In addition, 241 were found dead and 1,383 were outside the jurisdiction of the CoIoED.
Several key factors contribute to Pakistan’s missing persons problem. Many terrorists killed in domestic attacks, such as suicide bombings, are not properly recorded. Those who attack Pakistani positions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border are often killed and buried on the Afghan side. Some madrasah students flee without their parents’ knowledge to Afghanistan, Syria or Iraq to join militant groups and are subsequently classified as missing.
Many of the displaced people from North and South Waziristan are still living in refugee camps, making them difficult to track. Those who crossed into Afghanistan have been captured by coalition forces or Afghan security forces. Many have disappeared of their own accord to avoid arrest by law enforcement agencies, due to family feuds, economic difficulties, or domestic problems. The claim that thousands of Balochistanis are missing, propagated by some human rights activists and liberal intellectuals, lacks concrete evidence and appears to be politically motivated. Allegations of enforced disappearances by Pakistani forces and ISI are largely false. An overlooked fact is that many non-Balochistani residents in other provinces have been targeted and killed in Balochistan by hostile intelligence agencies or their proxies.
India’s attempt to equate the situation in Balochistan with that of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is to divert attention from its gross human rights violations. Many miscreants from Balochistan have used the excuse of enforced disappearance to secure residency and citizenship in foreign countries, taken refuge in Afghanistan or sought asylum in Europe.
There have been several cases where people previously listed as missing have been found to be involved in terrorist activities. For example, Hamal Fateh, involved in the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) attack on PC Hotel Gwadar, was among the terrorists killed but was listed as missing on the BLA website. Similarly, Engineer Zaheer Baloch, who was listed as missing and presumed dead by security forces in Operation Ziarat, appeared on a television channel after his arrest in Iran and narrated his ordeal.
Disinformation spread by anti-national elements and their proxies is aimed at creating a rift between the people and state institutions, misleading the youth and tarnishing Pakistan’s reputation internationally. To counter this, it is imperative to strengthen the legal framework and launch a comprehensive national-level effort to safeguard Pakistan’s digital sovereignty. Strengthening the Commission of Investigation of Enforced Disappearances (CoIoED): The Commission’s mandate needs to be expanded and its resources increased to ensure thorough investigations and speedy resolution of cases.
Educating the public about the complexities of the missing persons issue and dispelling misconceptions through media campaigns will help reduce the impact of propaganda. Working with international organizations to develop a unified strategy to address the missing persons issue globally will ensure Pakistan receives the necessary support and validates its efforts. Improving data collection and management systems to accurately track and record missing persons cases will help ensure effective resolution and increase transparency of the process. Updating and strengthening legal frameworks to address the root causes of voluntary disappearances, such as family feuds and economic hardships, can help mitigate the problem.
The constant propaganda about Pakistan’s missing persons is largely unfounded and far removed from reality. Many of the so-called missing have gone into hiding for personal reasons or joined terrorist organisations. The Government of Pakistan, through its Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, has made great strides in resolving the majority of cases. However, sustained efforts are needed to address the remaining cases and dispel the misconceptions surrounding the issue.
Pakistan’s situation can be understood by understanding that the phenomenon of missing persons is a global issue affecting many countries, including developed ones. By strengthening its legal framework, launching public awareness campaigns, and collaborating internationally, Pakistan can effectively counter disinformation spread by hostile organizations and protect its citizens. In the face of such challenges, safeguarding Pakistan’s digital sovereignty and ensuring the integrity of its state institutions is of utmost importance.
