Shiite Scholar Maulana Bilal Haider’s Enforced Disappearance

In a bitter reality facing Pakistan, scholars and intellectuals are increasingly confronting troubling issues. Recently, Maulana Bilal Haider, a student at the Qom Seminary, was reported missing upon his return from Pakistan at the Ramdan border. This incident has shaken not only his family but the conscience of society as a whole.

This is not merely a case of an individual’s disappearance; it represents an assault on thought, ideology, and religious freedom. The pressing questions arise: How long will this situation continue? How long will the Shia community be targeted for their beliefs? How long will the Pakistani government ignore the issues of Shia disappearances and killings?

The Pakistani government must establish law and order within the country and exert control over terrorist and extremist elements. Otherwise, the cycle of oppression against vulnerable Shia individuals by Sunni extremists and terrorists will persist.

High-ranking officials in the Pakistani government should take this matter seriously and ensure the immediate recovery of Maulana Bilal Haider. Additionally, they must implement practical measures to prevent such incidents in the future, ensuring that no other Shia scholar or student falls victim to such injustices.