Missing activists and social media

This concerns the story “Missing Pakistani activist Salman Haider recovered” (Jan. 29). It was quite a relief to read that Salman Haider, a renowned human rights activist who went missing from Islamabad earlier this month, had been found and that he had contacted his family for the first time in over three weeks.
Four other activists have also been missing since Jan. 4. Media sources, however, say they are safe and will be heading home soon. Their sudden disappearance became a major topic on live TV talk shows and provided headlines for major Pakistani newspapers. The disappearances drew widespread condemnation and a number of protests were held in cities across the country. It must be noted that social media played a tremendous role, urging people from all backgrounds to join hands and raise the issue in an appropriate way. Social media and the civil society of Pakistan must be applauded for this. It is a big win for them.