Raza Mehmood Khan is a peace and civil society activist based in Lahore. He has been reportedly missing since Sunday evening and the mysterious circumstances of his disappearance has caused panic among his social circle.
“He hasn’t been heard from since he left home on Sunday”, his friend Rahim ul Haq has been reported as saying.
Raza’s brother, Hamid Nasir Mehmood, has filed an application for his brother’s mysterious disappearance and has urged relevant authorities to recover him
He requested the Station House Officer (SHO) in Lahore’s Naseerabad Police Station, particularly, to look into the matter because the family is absolutely devastated because of the disappearance.
“My brother’s cell phone was switched off on December 2, after which I visited his home but he was not in his room. My brother has been abducted by an unidentified man, for unknown reasons.” Hamid Nasir Mehmood told the media.
Khan’s family reported he had been missing since Saturday. No one has been accused in the report. We’re investigating”, Shahzad Raza a police officer attached to the case told Reuters.
This is the application filed by Raza’s brother at Naseerabad Police Station in Lahore
Raza Mehmood Khan is an active member of Aaghaz e Dosti – an initiative which works towards improving ties between India and Pakistan.
Those who know Raza, claim that he was last seen in a heated debate, organized at a platform that he managed, about the recent Faizabad dharna
In this debate, he was very critical of the country’s military and the intelligence agencies. His Facebook posts reflect the same opinion as well. Several of his friends believe that the disappearance must be a link to his views.
Bloggers have gone missing in Pakistan before as well this year and after release, some claimed that the country’s intelligence agencies were involved.
Last post by Raza Khan on facebook page of Low-Key Lokai a progressive space he was managing. The post was made on 2 Dec at 4:46pm and was about a discussion on the extremist narrative of Tehreek Labbaik & political dynamics. Raza was last seen at 8pm same evening #RecoverRaza pic.twitter.com/ch6OODtFyv
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) December 5, 2017
Social media users, human rights groups and activists are all taking over online and offline spaces to protest against the disappearance
Peace activist Raza Khan, convener of Aaghaz E Dosti, missing from his home since Sat evening. Appears to be yet another attempt to silence a voice of reason & dissent #FindRaza pic.twitter.com/WaEPE60QX0
— Bilal Farooqi (@bilalfqi) December 4, 2017
Progressive peace activist Raza Khan missing in Lahore since Saturday after attending heated public discussion on rising extremism in the context of the Faizabad dharna. Please share and get in touch if you have any information on his whereabouts. pic.twitter.com/238FGTLQby
— Ammar Rashid (@AmmarRashidT) December 4, 2017
Our friend, Raza Khan has been missing since Saturday evening in Lahore. Have filed an FIR with the police. Raza is a social activist who is vocal about issues of extremism and a proponent for Indo-Pak friendship. #FindRaza @DiepSaeeda @gulbukhari @marvisirmed @Asma_Jahangir
— zeebahashmi (@zeebahashmi) December 4, 2017
Who is responsible for the abduction of peace activist Raza Khan? #FindRaza
— ر (@SurkhRamis) December 5, 2017
People from across the border are also praying for his safe return
I have faith that #RazaKhan will be back soon and will continue to work for his country, it's welfare like he always did. A genuine and inspiring person. #FindRaza
— Devika Mittal (@devikasmittal) December 5, 2017
Lets bring him back dear Pakistan. Your effort is effort of global peacemaking. @FbHoodbhoy @Razarumi https://t.co/O54w961mPa #FindRaza
— Ravi Nitesh रविनितेश (@ravinitesh) December 5, 2017
There is a petition addressed to Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, seeking the recovery of Raza Mehmood Khan
Find Raza Khan: A Social Activist gone missing from Lahore – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/0ZNQfUSQAV via @Change
— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) December 5, 2017
People who have worked with him are urging everyone to join in their effort to find Raza and get him safely, back
Raza Mahmood Khan, human rights activist has gone missing from Lahore. Renowned Indo-Pak peace activist, Saeeda Diep has appealed to the President and Prime Minister for recovering Raza Khan. We stand with Raza Khan and @DiepSaeeda. #FindRaza #RecoverRaza https://t.co/ZNg2GEXh8g pic.twitter.com/o4Q9yzdRFK
— NayaDaur (@nayadaurpk) December 5, 2017
People who talk about peace and unity and acceptance should not go missing, here’s hoping that dissenting voices are not silenced and that there’s nothing serious about this incident, leading to a peaceful recovery of the activist involved.