Shahbaz Taseer opens up about torture during captivity

Son of slain Punjab governor says abductors pulled his nails, cut flesh during captivity

Shahbaz Taseer, son of slain governor Punjab Salman Taseer, has opened up about his ordeal during the five years of captivity and how he was subjected to the most severe and inhumane methods of torture.

“I was flogged with 500 lashes in just about three to four days, followed by cutting my back with blade and taking out flesh from there. Then, they pulled out nails of my hands and feet. They even buried me in the ground for several days on at least three occasions,” said Shahbaz who was released with concerted efforts of law enforcers in Kuchlak area of Balochistan on March 8.

Shahbaz, who is in his early 30s, described his survival as a "personal victory". He said patience and the hope of eventual release sustained him.

"People, friends and family say you are very brave, you came back, it was very heroic. But these are not things I can say about myself. What I can say about myself is that I learnt to be very patient."

On August 26, 2011, Shahbaz's car was intercepted by a black SUV and motorbike around 600 yards from the office and up to three men dragged him out and took him away.



In his interview with BBC Urdu, Shahbaz revealed he was subjected to severe torture and mental torment but God wanted him alive and he kept saving him from the misery.

“They also kept me without food and sewed my mouth and once did not provide me food for at least seven to 10 days. I was also shot in the foot but it fortunately did not hurt me seriously,” he added.

"They would carve my back open with blades, and then throw salt into it," Shahbaz told CNN.

He went on to say: “The abductors placed honey bees on my face so that it may become unrecognisable for my family. I was also asked to provide bank account details.”

My wounds, he said, wouldn’t heal and I kept bleeding for a week for being unable to provide them bank details, the abductors had no mercy and no remorse on their wrongdoing.

“The torture in fact made me strong and I refused to their demands. Finally, my God ended my misery,” Shahbaz said adding, “I used to pray all night and until the dawn of a new day.”



He further added that during his time in captivity, the tormenters made 'extravagant Hollywood style videos' to send to his family and the government to pressure them into meeting their ransom demands.

Shahbaz denied that any ransom was paid for his release. "I did not pay any money. Rather I took their Rs10,000 while fleeing."

"I managed to flee the prison with a help of a man and reach Kuchlak, Balochistan. Later, I was sent to Lahore by the troops of Pakistan Army."

When asked about his abductors, Shahbaz said he was only held by Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan until the two groups fought with each other.

"They kidnapped me from Lahore and took me to Mir Ali area of Waziristan area and used to move me every month from the original place," said Shahbaz.

"I was in Mir Ali when the Uzbeks attacked Karachi airport, but realising how Pakistan's government and army will respond, they shifted me to Datta Khel, I was there till February 2015," he revealed.



Recalling  telephonic conversations with his family, Shahbaz said, "When the kidnappers would call my mother, it was not me speaking to her; it was them. I was just their vehicle. I knew she couldn't speak freely either. But I learned to focus on her voice. I loved hearing her voice."

Shahbaz claimed he was later captured by the Afghan Taliban, which doesn't believe in ransom and kidnapping. Circumstances changed for Shahbaz when he was freed by a member of the Afghan Taliban, according to CNN.

"It's insane you can find humanity where there is none," Shahbaz said.

Shahbaz, who was denied help several times, was pitied by an actual Afghan Taliban who offered him his phone.

"You spend four and a half years thinking you will never see the people that you love. The faces that you love fade away, and you know, here I am. I'm taking it one step at a time and enjoying my friends and my family," he said.

Meanwhile, his mother Aamna Taseer told CNN, "It came out of the blue and with such urgency, I couldn't believe it!"

‘Unforgettable’

When asked about an incident during his years of captivity he could not easily forget, Shahbaz said he saved three children from being killed by heavy bombardment in Shawal valley of North Waziristan.

“It was 2am in the night and I was told to leave the place. That’s when I saw three children who were left behind. I managed to pick two of them while another girl came along,” he said.

“As soon as I reached a safe place between two mountains, mothers of the children came to me and thanked for saving their lives. They knew I could have run without looking back and save my own life but I came back for them.”