Tensions mount over the heartbreaking disappearance of Baby Ariha Shah in Pakistan, with CPIM leaders now imploring External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to step in decisively. The plea comes as hope fades for the toddler, last seen in Karachi weeks ago.
Ariha, aged two, was with her Indian parents on a trip from Jammu when she vanished from their Soldier Bazaar lodging on October 14. Local searches involving hundreds of officers and volunteers have yielded zilch, prompting accusations of Pakistani inefficiency or worse.
In a pointed letter, CPIM emphasized the moral imperative: ‘An Indian child’s life hangs in balance. Delay is betrayal.’ They call for summoning Pakistan’s envoy, mobilizing international allies, and even suspending visa-free travel perks for Pakistani nationals.
The family’s ordeal grips India. Deepak Verma’s tearful updates from Pakistan detail exhaustive efforts—from door-to-door pleas to media blitzes. Yet, bureaucratic hurdles reportedly stymie Indian embassy access to key evidence.
Nationwide vigils and online petitions underscore the crisis’s reach. BJP MPs echo CPIM’s urgency, signaling rare bipartisan push. Experts dissect the case’s diplomatic fallout, noting it revives memories of past custody battles across the Radcliffe Line.
Pakistan counters with assurances of thorough probes, but skepticism abounds given historical precedents. Child rights activists spotlight systemic gaps in cross-border child protection, urging bilateral treaties.
CPIM’s proactive stance amplifies the chorus for action, pressuring the Modi administration to elevate this from routine to red-alert status. As winter approaches in Karachi, Ariha’s fate remains unknown, her tiny frame lost in a labyrinth of leads and letdowns.
Ultimately, this tragedy spotlights the perils of Indo-Pak people-to-people links. Jaishankar’s response could define India’s stance on citizen repatriation, setting precedents for future emergencies.