A recent report on kidnappings of children published by Police claims that the “harsh behaviour” of parents was the leading cause forcing children to run away from their homes. Many of these runaway children fall into the hands of criminals or are kidnapped. The report has been prepared in the wake of some recent incidents in Lahore, and submitted to the higher authorities. The comprehensive report was prepared after the abduction of four children from the Badami Bagh police station area during a period of three weeks, sending a wave of panic among people. With comprehensive statistics, the report outlined that out of 550 children reported kidnapped or missing in 2015, 41.3 percent had left their homes due to harsh behaviour of their parents of other domestic problems. Furthermore, the report adds that approximately 63 percent of such cases registered on the charges of kidnapping on minors under section 363 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) had to be cancelled after investigations found the allegations false. The report adds that a ransom call was never received in these cases leading the cases to be quashed from the courts. Other than the runaway cases, approximately 21.9 percent were cases of lost and found, 6.1 percent were abducted by their relatives, and 5.1 percent children fled owing family disputes. The report further added that children between eight to 17 years often left homes due to domestic or economic problems in their families. The report concludes that the problem is a social issue, based on the deduction that no ransom call was received. Although there is no denying the fact that the attitude of parents towards their children in early ages does shape their behaviour in later stages, the recent incidents of kidnapping cannot be quashed merely under that conclusion. In the recent incidents of kidnappings from the Badami Bagh Police Station area, cases were filed against unknown kidnappers. But, shockingly, the body of eight-year-old Umair was found in an open drain of Gunjbaksh, while other children are still missing. Although these children belonged to poverty-stricken families, financial deprivation becoming the catalyst behind their running away from home, they eventually fell into the hands of criminals. Reports revealed that Umair was sexually abused and tortured. His body was packed in a sack and dumped in a drain. The incidents of children running away from home arise from domestic problems, and harsh behaviour of parents, which in turn arise from poverty and other problems, and there is not much that the police department can do in this regard. What the police can do is to book a case, and give their best to the investigation to apprehend criminals in whose hands innocent children running away for better lives fall into. Street crimes have risen in recent times so are the incidents of kidnappings in Lahore. The police department cannot hide behind the report, and must do more to eliminate or at least control this most heinous crime. Furthermore, good communication between parents and children, as well as an inclusive role of other relatives, can play a major role in providing children a safe and healthy environment at home.*