Lahore, November 15, 2024 — A gruelling six-month ordeal came to an end as Sana Javed, a teenage Christian girl abducted on her way home from work, was successfully recovered from Dera Ismail Khan. Sana's abduction and eventual recovery highlight the struggles faced by marginalized communities and the importance of collective efforts to ensure justice.

Sana Javed was abducted six months ago while returning from her workplace in Lahore. Her parents, Javed Masih and Naseem Bibi, tirelessly searched for her, reaching out to relatives and friends, but no trace of her was found. Desperate for assistance, the family reported the incident to the Harbanspura Police Station, where an FIR was registered under Section 365-B of the Pakistan Penal Code. Despite this, the police made no significant progress in recovering Sana.

The family’s financial struggles further exacerbated their ordeal. They discovered a crucial clue through a phone call but lacked the resources to compel authorities to act on it. Feeling abandoned, the family sought help from Christian True Spirit (CTS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting vulnerable Christian communities.

After tracing Sana’s location to Dera Ismail Khan, CTS coordinated a rescue operation. On November 13, 2024, Sana’s parents, accompanied by relatives and CTS representatives, travelled to Dera Ismail Khan to work with local contacts and ensure her safe recovery.

During her captivity, Sana had been forcibly converted to Islam and married. The rescue operation was fraught with challenges, as local extremists attempted to intimidate the family and obstruct the recovery process. However, with CTS’s unwavering support, the operation was successfully executed, and Sana was reunited with her family.

Speaking to Pak Christian News (PCN), CTS Chief Executive Asher Sarfraz remarked, “The recovery of Sana Javed was a testament to collective effort and faith. Despite threats and intimidation, our team ensured her safe return, and she is now back with her family.”

Advocate Nadeem Hassan detailed the obstacles faced during the case. “Although the FIR was registered, the police remained inactive due to the high costs involved in recovering Sana from Dera Ismail Khan. We engaged with the Investigation Officer and SHO, arranging two successful meetings to push the case forward. While the phone number provided by the family was linked to a neighbour, further investigation ultimately led us to Sana’s location in Dera Ismail Khan. We are glad we could recover Sana from her abductor, and she is now safely living with her family.”

This case underscores the importance of collective action and resource mobilization in addressing the challenges faced by vulnerable communities. Sana Javed’s recovery serves as a beacon of hope for families battling adversity and seeking justice.