October 30, 2025
By Shaukat Korai
KARACHI
The abduction of student leader and Sindhiyani Tehreek activist, Ghani Aman Chandio, has left civil society shocked and angry. On October 28, security personnel allegedly took Chandio, from the premises of a private hospital in the city. Now his family and fellow activists have set up a protest camp outside the Karachi Press Club, demanding his recovery.
According to Chandio’s sister, Sindhu Aman Chandio, her brother had come to the hospital to visit his newly born twin daughters, who were receiving treatment at Karachi’s Maimoona Hospital. Rangers and masked men had surrounded the hospital and taken control of the CCTV surveillance system.
“They grabbed my brother, tied his hands, put a cloth over his face, and took him to an unknown location. We still have no information about his whereabouts,” said Sindhu Aman.
Eyewitnesses also reported that individuals in plain clothes had been accompanied by uniformed law enforcement personnel, abducted Ghani, intimidated people in the hospital, and confiscated mobile phones from all family members. Ghani Aman’s identity card and other belongings were also taken.
Who is Ghani Aman?
Ghani Aman is the Chief Organizer of the Sindhi National Students’ Federation and has been a prominent student leader in Sindh for years, vocal about issues of state oppression and social injustices. He has been active in organizing protests concerning the Cholistan Canal and has consistently spoken out against extrajudicial killings in Sindh. He was previously named in a criminal case for allegedly raising “anti-state” slogans during a student lecture at a local university.
Petition filed in Sindh High Court
A constitutional petition has been filed in the Sindh High Court by Sindhu Aman for the recovery of Ghani Aman. Sindhu Aman stated that she demands the recovery of her brother and all other missing persons. “If there is any charge against a person, they should be presented in a court of law,” she emphasized.
Protest camp at KPC
At the protest camp outside the Karachi Press Club, political activists, lawyers, and civil society representatives gathered in solidarity. Leader of the Sindh National Congress, Sarang Joyo, said, “Even in war, operations are not conducted inside hospitals, yet Ghani Aman was taken from inside a hospital, spreading fear and terror.”
He added that they have approached human rights organizations in Pakistan and worldwide, appealing for them to raise their voices for the recovery of Ghani Aman and other political activists who have been missing for years.
Prominent activist Surath Sindhu questioned, “They allege that these people do not follow Pakistan’s law. Does the country’s constitution and law permit the way Ghani Aman was taken? If you do not follow your own constitution and laws, then it is not right to accuse others.”
Another protestor, Aisha Sargani, claimed her son was taken because he was active in the recovery of missing persons and the Babarlo protest camp. “When my son was taken, he was ill. We are being told nothing about where he is,” she said.
Lawyers decry enforced disappearance
Lawyer Khalil Ansari remarked, “No terrorist incident has occurred in Sindh. There are 2.5 million foreigners living in Karachi who are involved in terrorism and street crime, yet nothing is said to them.” Lawyers, along with political and human rights activists, stated that abducting and disappearing people is a negation of the country’s constitution and laws.
According to leaders of the Sindh National Congress, in the past two days, Faraz Mirani was also taken along with Ghani Aman, while several other young individuals have been missing for years prior.