SECP official goes missing from capital

Sajid Gondal’s car was found parked near Islamabad’s National Agricultural Research Centre

ISLAMABAD:

Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Additional Joint Director Sajid Gondal has been reported missing from Islamabad since Thursday evening.

His car was found parked near the National Agricultural Research Centre in Chak Shahzad.

The family of the SECP official, who earlier worked as a journalist, has filed a complaint with police. They told the police that he was visiting their dairy farm in the area. Gondal left the farm but did not return home. The family has been unable to contact him. The official’s wife feared that her husband might have been kidnapped and urged the police to ensure his recovery.

The police said they were informed about a car with an official number plate parked near the National Agricultural Research Centre throughout the night.

They reached there and found out that the government had provided the official vehicle to the SECP joint director.

In a statement, the SECP expressed solidarity with the official’s family. The commission added that it was "providing complete assistance to the family in this moment".

“The SECP staff are praying and hoping for an early and safe return of Mr Gondal," it read.

Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari expressed her concerns over Gondal’s disappearance and said the government had a duty to ensure his early recovery.

“Police have been directed to register an FIR,” she tweeted.

“Protection of each citizen's life is our constitutional obligation. Rule of law must prevail - all must be dealt with according to the law.”

PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal said the disappearance of the SECP official was “very disturbing news”.

“The government should immediately take all necessary steps to ensure his safe recovery. Such acts bring a bad name to Pakistan,” he added.

The Amnesty International called upon the authorities to establish Gondal’s whereabouts immediately.

PM’s Accountability and Interior Adviser Mirza Shahzad Akbar has taken notice of the disappearance of the SECP official and directed the police to make efforts for his recovery.