New safety guidelines issued for schools & seminaries

KARACHI: Amid an alarming increase in child abductions in Karachi, police have issued new safety guidelines for schools and madrasas to enhance child safety.

The advisory stresses that children should only be allowed to go with their parents or legal guardians. Parents are also urged to avoid sending their children to schools or madrasas unnecessarily, stressing the importance of supervised travel to ensure their safety.

Recent kidnapping attempt in Korangi, Karachi

A recent incident in Korangi’s Bhittai Colony has highlighted the urgent need for these measures. An attempt to kidnap a minor girl was foiled when the child and a woman accompanying her raised the alarm, forcing the kidnappers to flee.

The incident took place in Sector D where CCTV footage captured the horrifying scene. The video shows a woman walking with the girl as two men on a motorcycle approach. One of the men gets down and tries to grab the child, but she resists and starts screaming. The woman also calls for help, prompting the men to abandon their attempt and flee on their motorbike.

According to reports, the accused threatened the girl that he would harm her if she did not cooperate. After the incident, the SSP Korangi confirmed that an investigation was underway based on the family’s statement, with legal action being taken to identify and arrest the accused.

This attempted kidnapping has drawn renewed attention to the effectiveness of law enforcement agencies, especially when several kidnapping cases remain unsolved.

One such case involves Sarim, a minor who was kidnapped and later found dead after going missing from his apartment complex in New Karachi. Despite efforts, the police have not been able to identify the perpetrator.

Additionally, the disappearance of two young children, Aaliyan (5) and Ali (6), from the Garden West area remains unresolved. CCTV footage of their abduction shows a man and woman on a motorcycle with the two children, who appear to be in a semi-conscious state. Despite this evidence, authorities have yet to locate the suspects or the missing children.

These incidents have raised serious concerns among parents and the wider community about the safety of children in Karachi. Authorities are under increasing pressure to improve their response and take decisive action to prevent further cases.