Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Three out of the five “missing bloggers” have contacted their families, Daily Times learnt on Saturday.

Salman Haider, Asim Saeed and Waqas Goraya have contacted their families while Ahmad Raza and Samar Abbas are still missing.

The families of the remaining two have appealed to the Interior Ministry to ensure their safe return.

According to sources, in the wake of the Senate, National Assembly, civil society and social media pressure, the ministry and law enforcers took measures and traced the three “missing bloggers”.

They were allegedly running anti-religion and anti-Pakistan pages on social media under the guise of freedom of speech. No group has claimed responsibility for their disappearance.

Salman Haider, a teacher at Fatima Jinnah University, contacted his family over the phone and assured them that he would reach home soon.

Zeeshan, Salman’s brother, confirmed that his brother was safe and secure. However, he did not share any more information.

According to police sources, Salman’s family has informed Lohi Bher police in this regard.

Police said Salman’s statement would be recorded after he reaches home.

Samar Abbas who had gone missing from the jurisdiction of Ramna police is still missing.

Ashar Abbas, Samar’s brother, told Daily Times that recovery of the three “bloggers” has revived hope about return of the remaining two people.

He appealed to the Interior Ministry to trace out his brother.

Last week, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had taken notice for the recovery of the “missing bloggers”.

He had ordered police and agencies concerned to speed up their efforts to recover the men.

Salman and Samar were “kidnapped” from Islamabad and their cases were registered in Lohi Bhir and Ramna police stations respectively.