A coalition of human rights defenders, minority rights advocates, and civil society activists resolved on Tuesday to launch a campaign for the swift recovery of nine-year-old Priya Kumari, a Hindu girl kidnapped from Sangrar village in Sukkur district on August 19, 2021.

According to a statement, as part of the campaign, the group announced a seminar at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Wednesday, January 29, followed by a sit-in protest. Letters seeking intervention from various national and international human rights organizations, including the National Commission for the Rights of the Child, the National Commission for Human Rights, the Sindh Child Rights Commission, and the Sindh Human Rights Commission, will also be dispatched.

The meeting further decided to approach the Sindh Chief Minister, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Sindh Cabinet members, and MPAs of the Sindh Assembly, urging them to use their influence to expedite Priya’s recovery.

The activists expressed their disappointment at the lack of progress despite assurances from Sindh Home Minister Zia Lanjar. On July 20, 2024, during a meeting with Priya’s parents and civil society representatives at the Chief Minister House in Karachi, the minister promised that the police would recover the child within a week. However, no meaningful action has been taken since then.

The circumstances surrounding Priya’s disappearance remain deeply troubling. Despite hundreds of people being present at the scene, the police investigation yielded minimal evidence and reportedly failed to identify credible witnesses. This case highlights critical societal challenges, including religious discrimination, gender inequality, class disparities, and concerns over abuse and neglect.

During discussions at the Chief Minister House, the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) presented updates on the case. The Sindh Home Minister announced that the reward for information leading to Priya’s recovery had been increased from 5 million to 10 million rupees. However, when pressed for a timeline, the JIT failed to provide a definitive commitment.

Priya’s parents have repeatedly demanded a clear deadline for their daughter’s recovery and full transparency in the investigation process. Despite these demands, the home minister declined to issue written confirmation of their application, leaving the family and civil society in deep frustration over the lack of accountability and progress.

Ali Palh, advocate, Liaqat Baloch, Fakhar Imam, advocate, Dr. Birma Jesrani, Khda Dino Shah, Mahesh Kumar, Marvi Awan, Sohni Paras, Muhammad Yunus Mahar, Murk Manan, Sham Lal Sherma, Sunil Thakuria, Shujauddin Qureshi and others attended the meeting.