Shahbaz Taseer recovered from Balochistan after five years in captivity

Salmaan Taseer's son was abducted from the Gulberg area of Lahore in August, 2011

QUETTA/ ISLAMABAD: Shahbaz Taseer, son of slain governor Punjab Salman Taseer, was released with concerted efforts of law enforcers in Kuchlak area of Balochistan on Tuesday.

Aitzaz Goraya, head of the Counter-Terrorism Department of Balochistan province told AFP: "Yes, we have recovered him."

"Acting on a tip-off, intelligence forces and police went to a compound in the Kuchlak district some 25 kilometres north of Quetta," Goraya added.

"We surrounded the compound and raided it. We didn't find anyone. A single person was there and he told us my name is Shahbaz and my father's name is Salmaan Taseer."



Goraya described Taseer, who is in his early thirties, as being in "feeble" health.

Anwarul Haq Kakar, spokesperson for the Balochistan government, told a private TV news channel: "I can confirm that Shahbaz Taseer has been safely recovered. He is in safe hands."

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar also confirmed the recovery during a Senate session.

Shehbaz Taseer recovered. Hope Ali Haider Gilani is recovered soon too. Govt and forces on an excellent track.

— Gharidah Farooqi (T.I.) (@GFarooqi) March 8, 2016

https://twitter.com/sharmeenochinoy/status/707194584535846912

Im so happy for @AamnaTaseer @shehryar_taseer @shehrbanotaseer @MaheenTaseer ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ sending lots of love your way ❤️❤️❤️❤️

— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) March 8, 2016

The ISPR shared Shahbaz's latest photo.

Latest pics of Mr Shahbaz Taseer taken at Quetta,9:30 PM today.In full protection,he is hale and hearty pic.twitter.com/MqmfYtEzcX

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) March 8, 2016

He was abducted from the Gulberg area of Lahore on August 26, 2011.

Shahbaz left his house from Cavalry Ground in his silver Mercedes Kompressor (LZT-1) for his office around 10:15am. His car was intercepted by a black SUV and motorbike around 600 yards from the office and up to three men dragged Taseer out of the car and took him away.

Shahbaz's father-in-law Salman Ghani also confirmed his freedom, but did not give any details.

A second militant source said the Taliban had been demanding up to Rs2 billion for his release.

Security analyst Imtiaz Gul said it was possible a ransom had been paid and Shahbaz had been abandoned by his abductors once they received the money.

PHOTO: PPI

Owner of a roadside restaurant in Kuchlak told reporters that Shahbaz was recovered after he came to his restaurant on foot on Tuesday evening, made a phone call and then personnel from FC came and picked him up.

"He had grown long hair with a scruffy beard and was frantically asking for a telephone or mobile phone" the owner of Al-Saleem hotel told reporters in Kuchlak.

"He ate food here, paid a bill of Rs350 and then called someone from a waiter's mobile," the owner said, adding that minutes later FC personnel arrived.

Background

Eldest son of former governor, Shahbaz is a director in several companies his father founded, including Pace Pakistan Ltd, First Capital Equities Ltd, Media Times Ltd. and First Capital Securities Corp Ltd.



A vocal critic of the blasphemy law, Salmaan Taseer showed his overwhelming support for Aasia Bibi, the woman charged with making disrespectful remarks against the Holy Prophet (pbuh), and condemned the controversial law on several occasions.

Salmaan Taseer was shot dead on January 4, 2011 by his security guard, Mumtaz Qadri.

Last week, Qadri was hanged in Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi.



Analysts described the execution as a key moment in country’s long fight against militancy, saying it demonstrated the government's resolve to uphold the rule of law rather than allow extremism to flourish.

Meanwhile, the youngest son of former prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Ali Haider Gilani still awaits release.

He was kidnapped during an election campaign rally on May 9, 2013. His secretary and a bodyguard were killed and four people wounded.