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Missing Pakistani Peace Activist Returns Home

by VOA News

   A Pakistani social media and peace activist who has been missing since
   December has resurfaced.

   Police officials say Raza Khan returned to Lahore last week but did not
   provide further details.

   Khan went missing last year after arranging an open discussion focusing
   on extremism and blasphemy. During the discussion, he severely
   criticized the government.

   Despite raising his voice against extremist ideologies, minorities
   rights and blasphemy laws in Pakistan, Khan also was a proponent of
   friendship between Pakistan and India. He was an active member of
   Aghaz-e-Dosti (Beginning of Friendship) -- an initiative to promote
   peace and harmony between the archrivals.

   Mehdi Hasan, a prominent human rights activist based in Lahore,
   condemned Khan's abduction last year. He said it was evident who was
   responsible for Khan's abduction.

   "When you are a progressive activist and criticize the military and the
   government, you have to pay a price. The basic violations of human
   rights are committed by the government's agencies in this country, who
   must have been behind Khan's abduction."

   The Pakistani government and the military have always denied any
   involvement in the disappearances of activists.