US concerned over disappearance of Pakistani activists

A supporter of Awami Worker Party holds a portrait of missing university professor Salman Haider during a demonstration to condemn the missing human rights activists, in Karachi, Pakistan, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. International and local rights groups on Tuesday urged the Pakistani government to investigate the abductions last week of four anti-Taliban activists — disappearances that critics claim reflect a crackdown on secular dissent. (AP Photo/Fareed Khan) (The Associated Press)

Pakistan's civil society members hold portraits of missing university professor Salman Haider while they chant slogans during a demonstration to condemn the missing human rights activists, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. International and local rights groups on Tuesday urged the Pakistani government to investigate the abductions last week of four anti-Taliban activists — disappearances that critics claim reflect a crackdown on secular dissent. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed) (The Associated Press)

Supporters of Awami Worker Party and civil society members chant slogans during a demonstration to condemn the missing human rights activists, in Islamabad, Pakistan, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017. International and local rights groups on Tuesday urged the Pakistani government to investigate the abductions last week of four anti-Taliban activists — disappearances that critics claim reflect a crackdown on secular dissent. (AP Photo/Anjum Naveed) (The Associated Press)

The United States has expressed concern over the disappearance of five Pakistani anti-Taliban activists and bloggers who mysteriously went missing last week.

State Department spokesman Mark Toner's remarks on Thursday came after Pakistan's interior ministry asked police to step up efforts to find the missing men, who include Salman Haider, a university professor and rights activist.

Human rights activist Syed Talib Abbas said on Friday that none of the men have been found so far.

Haider criticized the Taliban and the government over its alleged inaction against militants.

No militant group has so far claimed abducting the activists and no government department or intelligence agency has said it detained or arrested any one of the five.

Activists rallied against the disappearances in the city of Karachi late on Thursday.