Magistrate orders to place Ayaan, Anabiya and aunt's names on ECL in Karachi’s alleged abduction case

KARACHI: A judicial magistrate in Karachi Central directed the inclusion of minor siblings Ayaan and Anabiya, who had reportedly gone missing but returned home, along with their maternal aunt, on the Exit Control List (ECL).

The magistrate's written order stated that the minors' aunt, Farheen, also known as Sonia, was not permitted to take the children outside the jurisdiction of the local police station. The police were instructed to ensure that the children remained within the area.

Ayaan and Anabiya, the two children, gained attention on social media after their pictures circulated with a "missing alert." They reappeared on Wednesday, but the circumstances of their return remain unclear as the police and Rangers have conflicting accounts of the events.

Both children appeared in court on Thursday for a custody-related case, with their separated parents and other relatives present.

The court directed the Central area Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to promptly locate Farheen's residence. Police were mandated to submit weekly reports to the court.

The court ruled that the children could only leave the police station's jurisdiction for educational purposes, appointing an SSP to ensure compliance.

During their statement to the court, the children described their aunt and uncle's behavior as harsh and expressed a desire to live with their other maternal aunt, Farheen.

Following the separation of their parents in 2015, the children have been residing with their grandparents. Their mother, who works in Dubai, occasionally visits them.

The magistrate granted temporary custody of the children to their aunt, Farheen, and ordered her to submit a surety bond of Rs500,000 for each child's custody.