KARACHI: Weeks have passed since the disappearance of five-year-old Aliyan and six-year-old Ali Raza from Karachi’s Garden area, yet police have been unable to achieve a breakthrough despite extensive search efforts.
Speaking on Geo News’ program “Geo Pakistan,” SSP City Arif Aziz provided an update on the investigation, emphasizing that authorities are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to locate the missing children.
SSP Aziz highlighted that the biggest challenge in the case has been the lack of CCTV footage or eyewitnesses, making it difficult to determine the exact timing and circumstances of their disappearance.
“Initially, we assumed the children went missing between 12:30 pm and 1:00 pm, and all our work was based on that. Later, we realized the actual time might have been between 1:30 pm and 2:00 pm. Such discrepancies cause significant delays in technical investigations,” he explained.
The police have conducted multiple search operations in Lyari, Garden, and surrounding areas, thoroughly checking manholes, vacant houses, factory zones, and the Lyari River.
“We have searched these places three to four times. Sniffer dogs were also brought in from Hyderabad to assist,” he added.
SSP Aziz recalled that police responded immediately when the children’s parents reported them missing.
“When the parents returned home in the evening and reported the incident, we immediately registered the FIR. Our first search was at the Lyari River, which is right in front of their house, considering the possibility that they might have fallen in. We also called Rescue 1122 and began a systematic search,” he said.
However, the lack of CCTV cameras in the area and frequent power outages have hindered police efforts.
Addressing speculation regarding an organized network involved in child abductions, SSP Aziz stated that no evidence supports such theories.
“We have investigated every lead, even rumors such as a man at Abdullah Shah Ghazi’s shrine buying children. We thoroughly searched for this person, deployed decoys, and even had Korangi Police investigate, but no such individual was found,” he explained.
“Similarly, we recently received a tip that the children were last seen playing near the riverbank. Just three days ago, we conducted another large-scale search operation in the area, even using heavy machinery to clear swampy land. We are leaving no stone unturned,” he added.
Despite various leads and extensive searches, investigators remain without concrete evidence. “Every possibility has been explored,” he assured.
SSP Aziz admitted that the investigation would have been more efficient if Karachi had access to advanced forensic and surveillance facilities. “Globally, AI is being used in Dubai and the UAE. We are also moving in that direction with Safe City cameras, but these are very necessary,” he noted.
Aliyan and Ali Raza went missing on January 14 while playing outside their homes. Aliyan’s mother, who had returned from work, discovered her son was missing. Upon inquiry, she learned that he had been playing with Ali Raza, and neither had returned home. An FIR was registered, and extensive searches were launched across Karachi.
In a recent development, sniffer dogs identified a possible location near Lyari’s Kashti Masjid, and an eyewitness claimed to have seen the children in that area. Acting on this lead, police launched a clean-up operation in the Lyari River, using heavy machinery to clear parts of the riverbed.
Despite these efforts, the search remains ongoing, and authorities have yet to find conclusive evidence about the children’s whereabouts.
