Battagram protest gives authorities 24 hours to trace missing medical student

BATTAGRAM: Residents, political workers and civil society representatives staged a sit-in in Battagram on Tuesday, demanding the recovery of a medical student who has been missing since June 14 and giving the authorities 24 hours to trace him.

The protest was organised by an action committee and drew a large turnout. Those present included Ayaz Torkheli of the Awami National Party, Ghulamullah Torkheli of PTI Nazriati, Hazrat Yousaf of Jamaat-e-Islami, Bakhtiar Akhunzada of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Press Club President Ehsan Naseem, and former tehsil nazims Khanzada Zafar Ali Khan and Niaz Muhammad Khan Tarand, along with other local figures.

Participants criticised the relevant government institutions and security agencies over what they described as a rise in unexplained disappearances. They said such incidents were deepening fear and uncertainty among the public and urged the security agencies to carry out their responsibilities and ensure citizens' safety.

The missing student, Bilal, is a medical student from Kiar Gali in Battagram. According to his family, he left home on June 14 for his college in Islamabad and briefly stopped at the Mansehra Lorry Adda for some personal work. They said both of his mobile phone numbers became unreachable shortly afterwards, and no contact has been made with him since.