Residents demand release of two abductees

F.P. Report

MARDAN: Two individuals from Mardan, 40-year-old Sher Faraz and his 24-year-old neighbor Bilal went to Rahim Yar Khan, Punjab, under the pretext of a budget-friendly car deal. Instead, they found themselves in the clutches of the Salti and Umar group of Kashmore region of Sindh, who have allegedly taken them hostage and demanded a ransom of two crore rupees from their families.

According to Ali Sher, Sher Faraz’s father, the two set off to Rahim Yar Khan on September 21 to purchase a car. However, upon arriving, they encountered the Salti and Umar group. The group attacked them and subsequently held both Sher Faraz and Bilal captive.

After the initial contact made in Rahim Yar Khan, all communication ceased. Despite numerous attempts to reach them, their mobiles remained inaccessible. The abductors affiliated with the Umar and Salti groups are situated in the rural Kashmore area of Sindh, where they demanded the heavy ransom for the safe return of the youths.

Condemning this incident, leaders of the Sudhum Loya Jirga, local residents, and Tehsil Mardan Mayor, Himayat Ullah Mayar, led a protest in front of the Mardan Press Club. The Sudhum Loya Jirga leaders urged a swift recovery of the two Mardan residents abducted last month from the clutches of their Sindh captors. Himayat Ullah Mayar underscored the need for federal and provincial governments to take special action to secure the safe return of the victims. He expressed his concern over the emergence of a ‘state within a state’ that operates against Pakistan’s constitution, underlining the urgency of government intervention.

Ali Sher said that a formal report about the two abductees was filed at the Rustam Mardan police station on September 21, stating that Sher Faraz and Bilal had gone missing. Regrettably, no substantial progress has been made in their recovery, and they remain in the clutches of their kidnappers.

The Sudhum Loya Jirga Masharan criticized the lack of police action in the case, highlighting that it is the police’s responsibility to safeguard citizens’ lives and property. Failure on their part is ultimately the state’s failure. The leaders warned that if swift action is not taken they may resort to highway protests, disrupting all traffic.

Following the protest, a delegation led by City Mayor Himayat Ullah Mayar met with Commissioner Mardan Division Shaukat Ali Yousafzai. The delegation included political and social workers, lawyers, and business community representatives from Rustam, explained the commissioner of the situation. In response, Commissioner Mardan immediately contacted the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Home Department and Sindh Chief Secretary Dr. Fakhr Alam Irfan about the case. He assured the delegation of utilizing all available resources to rescue the two abducted individuals from Rustam. The Chief Secretary of Sindh also extended assurances of cooperation in this matter. The delegation expressed their gratitude for Commissioner Mardan Division Shaukat Ali Yousafzai’s unwavering support.