The body of seven-year-old Sarim, who had been missing for 11 days under mysterious circumstances, was discovered in an underground water tank near his home in North Karachi, according to police sources cited by national media.
According to a report by ARY News on Saturday, the lid of the water tank was found covered with a carton, and the police are now investigating whether Sarim accidentally fell into the tank or if he was pushed.
Sarim’s family had reported him missing on January 7, fearing he had been abducted after he didn’t return from a nearby madrassa. Despite an extensive search by the police, which included searching all 212 flats in the apartment complex and checking four water tanks, Sarim remained unaccounted for.
The investigation faced complications due to a power outage at the time of the incident, rendering CCTV footage unavailable. Authorities continued to investigate and sought footage from nearby areas.
The child’s father had received several suspicious calls and messages from unknown numbers, with some demanding money transfers and one asking for a picture of the child. After sending a picture, the number was switched off. Later, the family received a ransom demand of Rs 5 lakh, and the case was transferred to the Anti-Violent Crime Cell (AVCC).
In an emotional appeal to media, Sarim’s mother begged, “Whoever has taken my son, please return him,” adding that both her sons had gone to the madrassa together, but only the elder one returned. The family also pointed out that while the apartment complex had CCTV cameras, they were non-operational at the time due to the power outage.
