A toddler’s baffling disappearance in Pakistan has galvanized CPIM into demanding that Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar intervene without delay in the Baby Ariha Shah saga. The case, blending innocence with international acrimony, demands resolution now.
The two-year-old, accompanying parents Deepak Verma and Fatima Khan from Jammu to Karachi, evaporated from sight on October 14 amid the bustle of Soldier Bazaar. Pakistani law enforcement’s response—initially sluggish—has ramped up, but results elude grasp.
CPIM’s formal entreaty to Jaishankar blasts Islamabad’s opacity: ‘Deploy every diplomatic tool to secure her return. Silence from Pakistan is unacceptable.’ They advocate for a dedicated task force, live intel sharing, and UN observer involvement if needed.
Emotional testimonies from the parents pierce national conscience. ‘She’s our world—please bring her home,’ sobs Deepak in viral clips. Indian diaspora in Pakistan aids the hunt, but faces local pushback.
Politically, the episode unites fronts: Congress joins CPIM in critique, while government sources tout backchannel diplomacy. Media hounds reveal potential CCTV blind spots and witness discrepancies, stoking theories from kidnapping to misadventure.
Broader implications loom for India-Pak exchanges, especially family visas. Child welfare NGOs decry weak safeguards, pushing for mandatory tracking apps on such travels.
CPIM’s clarion call injects fresh momentum, framing Ariha’s plight as a litmus test for India’s global clout. With monsoon receding and nights lengthening, urgency peaks. Jaishankar must navigate this minefield, balancing firmness with finesse to reclaim a lost child and restore faith.