Missing child Azaan recovered safely after three days; family rejects rumours of ransom payment and seeks answers over kidnapping

Karachi: Azaan, the child who was kidnapped from Naya Nazimabad three days ago, has been safely recovered. The young boy was allegedly taken away by a man on a motorcycle at around 8:00 p.m. while he was playing outside his house.

According to Wahab's friend, he told Dialogue Pakistan, "I received a call from a nearby village saying that a child had been spotted there. I then went to my friend, who confirmed that it was our child. After that, we went to the village."

Speaking to Dialogue Pakistan, Azaan's uncle rejected rumours circulating on social media that the family had paid money for the child's release. He said, "A claim is widely circulating on social media that we brought the child back after paying an amount, but there is nothing like that."

He added that the family had their own sources and that information about the missing child had already spread widely through social media and different groups.

According to Azaan's uncle, the family received a call from Gharo at around 9:30 a.m. informing them that the child had been found. He said the caller told them, "Your child is with us," and then sent a video as proof.

He further shared details from the person who found Azaan, saying that the man's brother was watering fields at around 4:00 a.m. when he heard a child crying. Upon checking, he found Azaan, picked him up and contacted the family through social media.

The family immediately approached the police. Azaan's uncle said that the SP, DSP and SHO were already in contact with them, and a police team was provided to accompany them for the child's recovery.

Azaan's father, Wahab Ali, also thanked his neighbours and the people of Karachi for their support throughout the ordeal. He said the family is now investigating who kidnapped Azaan and how he was taken from Naya Nazimabad to Gharo.

Azaan's uncle said the widespread attention the case received on social media may have pressured those involved to abandon the child. He said, "The case received so much attention on social media that we believe he may have left Azaan out of fear."

The family also raised concerns over security arrangements at Naya Nazimabad, questioning how the child was taken out of the gated community despite existing security measures. They called for a detailed investigation into the kidnapping and possible security lapses.