Vanished from Bharchundi: Where Is Little Saira?
Imran
The Mysterious Disappearance of Saira Soomro: Protests Continue Three Years On in Search of Justice
Karachi The Shaheed Dodo Soomro Welfare Organization Pakistan staged a powerful protest outside the Karachi Press Club, joined by members of civil society and the Soomro community. The demonstration aimed to demand the recovery of 10-year-old Saira Soomro, who was abducted three years ago.
The Story Behind the Disappearance:
Saira Soomro, daughter of a poor laborer named Fatah Muhammad Soomro, mysteriously vanished from the residence of religious leaders in Bharchundi Sharif, located in Daharki, in February 2023. Her parents explained that due to ongoing local disputes and repeated attacks on their home, they sought refuge at the Bharchundi shrine, entrusting their daughter as a “Sam”—a symbolic gesture of protection.
A month later, when the parents returned to check on their daughter, they were told that Saira was no longer at the residence. The news devastated them. Despite relentless efforts and searching from door to door, no trace of the child was found.
Legal Action and Obstacles:
Fatah Muhammad Soomro filed an FIR at the Daharki police station, naming six individuals including Mian Arsalan, Mian Suhail, and Mian Muhammad Ali. Initially, three suspects were arrested and presented in court, but due to their influence, they were soon released. The case was downplayed and eventually shelved.
Protest and Demands:
Led by Chairman Ali Muhammad Soomro, the protestors accused powerful religious figures of involvement in Saira’s disappearance. He declared that the Soomro community would go to any lengths to protect their dignity and would not back down.
The protest was attended by Sindh President Gulzar Soomro, Senior Vice President Sardar Abdul Jabbar Soomro, Jameel Soomro, Mir Ahmed Soomro, and others, all demanding the immediate recovery of Saira.
Appeal for Justice:
Protestors called upon the Supreme Court, human rights organizations, and judicial authorities to intervene and ensure Saira’s release from what they described as a private jail in Bharchundi. They warned that if the situation escalates, the responsibility would lie with the Sindh government.
Hope for Peace, Demand for Justice:
It has been two and a half years since Saira’s disappearance, yet neither the police nor the government has taken meaningful action. Protests continue across Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab, with voices growing louder for her safe return.
