CHILD ABDUCTION IN PAKISTAN: A Humanitarian Crisis

"A child is an uncut diamond"

(Austin O' Malley)

Children are little angels, innocent of any evil with no predujice and vices in their pure hearts. These flowers are unaware of the heinous intentions of the people surrounding them, engrossed in their own worlds, not hurting anyone, not inflicting pain on anyone and being nothing but a source of joy for all. 

However, the world has turned into such a dark and horrid place where people have lost their humanity altogether. Innocent children are now being targeted all over the world for various reasons such as to earn ransom by kidnapping them, to use them for beggary, to sell them to the highest of bidders for prostitution and such and/or to abduct and murder them for their body parts and organs. 

“It's the children the world almost breaks who grow up to save it.” 

(Frank Warren)

While cases of Child abduction and abuse is not that rare of an occurance in Pakistan, it has now risen to a level that is alarming to even the most ignorent of people. About 600 cases of child abduction have been reported in the past couple of months alone, mostly from different areas of Punjab, particularly Lahore. The police, however, is in denial claiming that the media is exaggerating the numbers which is obviously not true because a new kidnapping case emerges everyday with parents protesting sometimes by burning tires on the streets and complaining that the police and the government is unresponsive and not doing their best to find their kids.

The supreme court took notice and has called for senior police officers and IG police Punjab, Mushtaq Sukhera, to present a report on all the events involved. The opposition parties, such as Tehreek-e-insaf, have decided to raise the matter in the Punjab Assembly in order to find a solution to the burgeoning issue. The government has responded by announcing the introduction of a digital Child Abduction Alert System, that would have a developed database of missing children and will work by disseminating this gathered data to the relevant officials in order to make it easy for them to trace the children. Moreover, training programs for volunteers who will raise awareness and provide guidance to the public at large on how to avoid kidnappings will also be initiated by the government. The Prime Minister played his part by instructing concerned officials to increase sharing of intelligence and enhance cooperation between the federal and provincial units to combat the increasing trend of child abduction.

The question that comes up in the mind of all is if this is enough? Giving a statement, compiling reports and plans on introducing a new software, etc. are not going to bring a child back. The police is adamant and no efforts are being made to improve this department. The police are there to provide us protection but time and again they have failed to do so.  How can i person sleep peacefully at night or remain calm after dropping his kid at school in a country where everything is so unpredictable and where the police fails to take responsibility for protecting the citizens. What are they there for?

Right now, however, one thing that the parents can do is to teach their children about safety and personal protection and about being cautious without adding to their fears and scaring them. They should be taught to

• Avoid talking to strangers and accepting gifts from them
• Avoid going to any place with a stranger no matter how tempting he/she makes it seem. 
• To scream and run if someone tries to follow them or force them to come somewhere with them.
• Discuss it with you or any other trustworthy adult in case they feel scared and uneasy about something or someone
• Never leave the house without permission
• Never open the door for a stranger
• Know their home number, address and your contact number 

These tips should be remembered and taught to the children repeatedly as a mantra so that they remain cautious and remember what to do if a bad situation comes up.

Nothing can be more tragic for a parent than losing his child. In our society the unfortunate reality remains that people and government both are numb to other people's problem and woes. Lack of empathy and concern for the well being of others and active engagement in selfish pursuits is the norm in Pakistan. Only when a tragedy strikes close to home is when someone wakes up a little. Media alone can do nothing if the people themselves do not fight for their rights, safety and protection being one of the most fundamental ones. The need of the hour is to not ignore what is happening, to unite and to urge the government and all others involved to ensure the safe arrival of the lost ones, to prevent future incidents and punish the perpetrators in the severest way possible so as to set an example for anyone who dares to even think of playing with the lives of our children.

Review: Bundu Khan, A Meaty Food Journey

No matter where you live or what you do, Spice and Meat are two things that us Desi's can not ignore. Sometimes the craving is so bad that you would jump at any invitation that offers even the slightest prospects of some spicy food with meat.

Bundu Khan has always been a favorite among the Pakistanis with its unique flavors, mouth watering Behari Kababs and Nanns, no one would refuse an offer to eat out when the venue is Bundu Khan.

Imagine my surprise when i found a branch of Bundu Khan in USA, with the name Bundu Khan Kabab House, wedged between two shops, with the name written in bright red. I could feel good vibes emanating from the restaurant mixed with a spicy aroma. I had to go in and eat there. 

Just like the exterior, the interior was simple with rows of plain dark brown tables, plain looking walls that were painted in brown color with a couple of wall hangings and wall mount fans here and there. The interior was dull to say the least. At the front of the dining hall, there was a similarly painted order counter where an old Pakistani man was busy taking orders from the customers.

Bundu Khan, Texas (USA)

Almost everyone in the restaurant, from the staff to the large number of people dining there, was Desi, Pakistanis and Indians. It was good to see so many people from my country at one place, all speaking Urdu and enjoying the Desi food and environment. Because of the dull interior, however, i was skeptical of the food at first, even though the large number of people that had come to dine their stated otherwise. I had to take my chances.

I finally placed my order at the counter and waited for them to bring the Behari kababs, Badshahi Haleem, roasted chicken and Lachcha parathas at my table. The smells coming from the kitchen at the back were divine. My tummy was grumbling. I drank the delicious Mango milkshake i had ordered while i waited and observed my surroundings. The Lachcha paratha and Behari kababs are believed to be one of their specialities and this proved correct once i tasted my food.

Bundu Khan Kabab House

If you are against oily food or parathas with too much grease on them, the Lachcha parathas are not for you. You can order their delicious Tandoori Naans or Plain Tandoori rotis that are equally yummy.  The combination of Lachcha paratha and Badshahi Haleem is divine. The meat, chicken and kababs were cooked with an amazing blend of spices. I kept on ordering more parathas and took what little i could not finish there back home with me.

I was surprised at the amount of food i had consumed and the vigir with which i had consumed it. I guess a place such as Bundu Khan can do that to you, prompting you to eat till you have no more room and motivating you to cone back for more.

Behari Kabab

The rates are reasonable too and they offer a variety of Daals with the Achaari Mash ki Daal being my personal favorite for people who do not want to eat meat. 

I for one will definitely be visiting this place again to indulge myself in their amazing flavors and aromas and for once get the feeling of being at home.