Lahore: Raza Mehmood Khan, a convener of Aghaz-i-Dosti — an online initiative to promote peace and friendship between the youth of India and Pakistan — and social activist has returned back home after the disappearance of seven months.
Raza went missing on December 2, 2017. He was taken away from his model colony residence in Lahore.
Personal secretary to the president of the Commission of Enquiry on Enforced Disappearances Rashid Wani confirmed that Raza Mehmood Khan has been recovered.
SP Investigation Model Town Imran Sethi also confirmed Raza’s return, the model town police had recovered Raza ten days ago. He did not disclose any more information about Raza’s recovery.
Before his disappearance, Raza helped manage progressive space Lowkey Lokai that brings people together for dialogues and debates on issues critical for building a peaceful society. All events held at Lowkey Lokai are public and open. He also became the convener of Aghaz-e-Dosti in May 2017, an initiative to bring Indian and Pakistani students closer. Further, Raza and a group of young activists from Lahore registered an organization named Hum Sab Aik Hain, which aims to promote peace and harmony.
Civil society and activists had been protesting against Raza’s unlawful disappearance.
After Raza’s disappearance, Amnesty International, a global human rights caretaker organisation had demanded Pakistani authorities to take effective measures for a safe recovery of Raza Khan.
“The Pakistani authorities must take all measures as may be necessary to investigate Raza Khan’s fate immediately,” said Amnesty International’s Deputy South Asia Director, Dinushika Dissanayake in a statement.
