South Sudanese rebels release abducted Pakistani engineer

Ayaz Jamali released from captivity, FO spokesperson Nafees Zakaria confirms

HYDERABAD: Pakistani petroleum engineer, who was abducted by South Sudanese rebels earlier this month, has been released.

“Mr Ayaz Jamali, who was in the captivity of some group in South Sudan, has been released,” FO spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said on Thursday.

Mr Ayaz Jamali, who was in the captivity of some group in South Sudan, has been released.

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 30, 2017

He said Pakistani missions in Addis Ababa and Khartoum were making efforts to secure Ayaz’s release with cooperation of government of South Sudan, China and Sudan.

“We are grateful to the governments of South Sudan China and Sudan for their cooperation and support in the successful release,” Zakaria tweeted.

Our Missions in Addis Ababa&Khartoum have been making efforts to secure Mr Ayaz's release with coop of Govts of S. Sudan, China & Sudan

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 30, 2017

We are grateful to the Govts of South Sudan China & Sudan for their cooperation and support in the successful release of Mr Ayaz Jamali

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 30, 2017

On March 20, South Sudan rebels ambushed a vehicle carrying Ayaz and three others, and kidnapped them as they were travelling to Ghumry oilfield, 50kms from Palooch.

25-year-old Ayaz worked in an oilfield of China Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corporation. He was scheduled to return to the country on March 22 for his wedding in Karachi before getting kidnapped.

The development was also confirmed by Ayaz’s brother, Babur Hussain Jamali, who also worked in a Sudanese oil field.

"He has left the South Sudan's border in a special plane, and will shortly reach Khartoum [10pm PST]," Babur told The Express Tribune.

Meanwhile, two Indians, who were kidnapped separately on March 8, were also freed.