KARACHI: TV and film actress Humaima Malick Wednesday joined calls for the recovery of missing rights activists and bloggers, becoming the first artist to speak up on the issue.

At least four activists known for their leftist views have gone missing from Punjab and Islamabad, causing an outrage on social media with the calls for their safe release.

Those missing include poet and academic Salman Haider, Waqas Goraya, Asim Saeed and Ahmed Raza Naseer. A fifth activist, Samar Abbas, is also reported to be missing since Saturday, but there is no official confirmation about his disappearance.

A social media campaign titled #RecoverAllActivists has been launched to demand the safe return of the bloggers and activists.

Joining the campaign on Twitter, Humaima, who is known for her activism on social media, questioned the state’s failure to protect its own people.

“Why can’t we protect our people?” the actress wrote.

Why can’t we protect our people? #RecoverAllActivists — HUMAIMA MALICK (@HumaimaMalick) January 11, 2017

In a second tweet, she said it was truly saddening to see all these beautiful people disappearing.

It’s truly saddening to see all these beautiful people disappearing #RecoverAllActivists — HUMAIMA MALICK (@HumaimaMalick) January 11, 2017

Following are some of the tweets posted on the issue:

RIP HUMAN RIGHTS #RecoverAllActivists — MUHAMMAD IMTIAZ KHAN (@EconomistImtiaz) January 11, 2017

Only courts should be allowed to give punishments, abduction is against human rights #RecoverAllActivists — Tufail Malik (@mTufailMalik) January 11, 2017

U can’t tolerate the truth which shows how intolerable we r as a nation..Sach kabhi nahi chuph sakta #RecoverAllActivists — Mamma Mia (@RHayat54) January 11, 2017

Dear Interior Minister, cities don’t become safe with the installation of #surveillance cams, political will is needed. #recoverAllActivists — Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) January 11, 2017

When the powerful (individuals, groups & institutions) are angry at your writings rest assure you’ve done your job well#RecoverAllActivists — Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) January 11, 2017