Karachi sees alarming rise in missing children cases

KARACHI: At least 597 cases of missing children have been reported in Karachi between January and June 2025, as per data jointly compiled by law enforcement and a non-governmental organization(NGO).

According to the data, 579 of these children have been recovered, while the parents of more than 18 children are still desperately searching for their loved ones.

Police sources suggest that many of the missing include children aged newborn to six years, with a mix of boys and girls.

June recorded the highest number of cases, with 126 children reported missing, followed by January 108, April 103, May 95, February 85, and March 80.

The majority of these incidents occurred in densely populated and vulnerable areas such as Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Baldia Town, Orangi Town, Mehmoodabad, Numaish, Gadap, Mauripur, Korangi, Landhi, Qaidabad, and Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

District-wise data shows: East District topped the list with 130 cases, Malir followed with 112, West with 90, Central with 74,Keamari with 68, Korangi with 52, District Central with 39, and South District with 32 reported cases.

Authorities continue to investigate these disappearances, while NGOs and child protection advocates are calling for stronger preventive measures, faster response protocols, and better community awareness to address the crisis.