After 15 years of separation, Abida reunited with her family through Mera Pyara - Virtual Center for Child Safety (VCCS), operating under the Punjab Safe Cities Authority (PSCA).
The breakthrough came when her maternal uncle recognized her in an interview shared on Mera Pyara’s official Facebook page. He contacted the team, and further verification confirmed their family connection. Following the required procedures, Abida successfully reunited with her family. Her story highlights how social media outreach and coordinated efforts can help trace lost individuals and reconnect them with their loved ones.
Abida's Story: From Lahore to Family Reunification
In 2011, a citizen found Abida in the Dholanwal area of Lahore and, for her well-being, arranged her admission to Edhi Home Lahore through the police. At the time, Abida had limited information about her family. She could only identify District Vehari as her place of origin, making it difficult to trace her relatives.
Despite these challenges, efforts to establish her identity continued.
How Mera Pyara Helped Trace Abida's Family
Since its launch by PSCA in July 2024, the Mera Pyara team has been regularly visiting welfare homes across different areas of Pakistan to meet unidentified children, record their interviews, and gather information to help trace their families. As part of these efforts, Abida’s interview was also recorded and shared on Mera Pyara’s official Facebook and TikTok accounts to reach people who might recognize her and help reunite her with her family.
This public outreach became a key step in reconnecting Abida with her family after years of separation.
Social Media Helps Identify Abida's Family
A major breakthrough came when Abida's maternal uncle watched her interview on Mera Pyara's official social media. He recognized her and contacted the Mera Pyara team to help establish their family connection.
To support his claim, he provided the missing-child report registered at Hanjarwal Police Station in 2011. The team also coordinated with the village numberdar to verify the relationship between Abida and her maternal uncle.
These verification efforts helped confirm the family connection and move the reunification process forward.
Abida Reunites with Her Family After 15 Years
After completing the required verification and legal procedures, Abida was handed over to her family through the Edhi administration. Her reunion with her family marked an important milestone in Mera Pyara's efforts to trace lost and unidentified individuals.
Abida's story highlights the role of social media outreach, community support, field investigations, and institutional coordination in resolving long-standing lost-child cases.
Through these efforts, Mera Pyara continues to help reconnect separated individuals with their families and support the safe reunification of lost and unidentified children with their loved ones.
Report a Lost or Found Child
If you know a child or an individual who is lost or separated from their family, contact Mera Pyara for assistance with identification and family reunification.
Helpline: Call 15 and press 3.
Help Mera Pyara bring separated families back together.
You can read another reunification story of lost child Romaan, who reunited with his family after 3 years of separation.