A 9-and-a-half-year-old Christian maid, Sumaira Abbas, who went missing from her employer's home in Karachi last year, has been recovered by Christians' True Spirit (CTS), a Christian NGO based in Lahore. The recovery has brought immense relief to her family, who have been searching for her since her disappearance on December 25, 2023.
Sumaira, the second of eight children, was sent to work as a housemaid for Zunaira Bibi in Karachi. Her parents, Abbas Masih and Nasreen Bibi, both brick kiln workers, were persuaded by a Muslim woman named Daulat Bibi, also known as Dolly, to send Sumaira to Karachi for better living conditions. Dolly assured them that Sumaira would be safe and well-treated.
The family's nightmare began on Christmas Day when they received a call from Zunaira Bibi, informing them that Sumaira had vanished. Panicked, Abbas Masih and his wife contacted Dolly, who claimed to be unaware of Sumaira's whereabouts. When the desperate parents travelled to Karachi, they were met with hostility from Zunaira Bibi, who refused to open her door or report the missing girl to the police.
Left with no choice, Abbas Masih filed a missing person report at the Darakhshan South Karachi police station, leading to the registration of FIR no. 152/2024. Despite facing numerous delays and misleading information from Dolly, the family received crucial assistance from Christian lawyers who took up their case without charge.
Lawyer Zeeshan, representing the family in Karachi, stated that both Zunaira Bibi and Dolly were responsible for Sumaira's disappearance. In April 2024, District and Sessions Judge Javed Ahmed Keerio ordered a thorough investigation, mandating weekly progress reports from the investigation officer.
After months of relentless efforts, the CTS team announced on social media that Sumaira was found on July 13, 2024. The successful operation was a result of coordinated efforts by the CTS team, the girl's parents, and the dedicated legal team in Karachi.
Abbas Masih expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the CTS, the lawyers, and everyone involved in the recovery of his daughter. "We are innocent and illiterate people and cannot understand the legal aspects, but we are thankful to our lawyers who helped us at no cost," he said, overjoyed at the end of their harrowing ordeal.
This case underscores the difficulties faced by marginalized communities and highlights the crucial role of legal support in their pursuit of justice. The recovery of Sumaira Abbas is a testament to the power of perseverance and collaborative efforts in overcoming adversity.
