Rights group petitions Supreme Court over missing bloggers

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A rights crusader submitted an application to the chief justice of Pakistan for the recovery of Salman Haider, Ahmed Waqas Goraya, Asim Saeed, and Ahmed Raza Naseer.

Haider went missing from Islamabad on Jan 6 while Naseer was allegedly seized near Nankana Sahib on Jan 7. Goraya, who was visiting from Holland, and Saeed, who was visiting from Singapore, were ‘abducted’ from Lahore on Jan 4.

“All these four disappearances appear to be connected as these individuals were social media activists administering different pages which were involved in commentary on political and religious issues,” said Jibraan Nasir, a social activist.

It goes on to say that the disappearances appear to be ‘very well-coordinated’ and a planned attack on these citizens of Pakistan as it was ensured that all four individuals were present in Pakistan at the same time.”

“The disappearances have created terror among social media activists, bloggers and journalists,” the applicant says and terms them an attack on freedom of expression.

Nasir has requested the apex court to intervene in the matter and ensure fundamental rights of the missing activists and their family members. He has also requested the court to take ‘necessary action’ against any state or non-state body behind these disappearances for carrying out ‘this act of terror’.