Warren Weinstein, 63, was kidnapped from his residence-cum-office in block J of Model Town by eight gunmen who overpowered his three guards and driver.
“One thing has been confirmed -- that he is American and that he was kidnapped for this reason,” DSP CIA Model Town Chaudhry Atif Hayat said.
He said that there had still been no claim of responsibility and police were still questioning his guards and colleagues, and combing phone records, as part of the search. “So far we have no clue, nor has anyone contacted us,” he said.
Police officials said that they were also questioning the local watchman, but had so far made no arrests.
Officials from the police’s organised crime branch have so far questioned at least 50 people in this regard.
One police official contacted by The Express Tribune said they were “primarily focusing on the escape vehicle”. He said that based on the testimonies of local watchmen, they were “now sure which vehicle had been used” in the crime.
DSP Hayat, however, denied identifying the vehicle used by abductors, adding that they were getting no response from mobile phones snatched from two of the guards. He claimed that the police was not overlooking any angle. He said that they were still not yet able to determine whether it was an act of terrorism or simply a case of kidnapping for ransom.
Umer Virik, a police investigator, declined to give any concrete information, saying disclosing what little progress police had made would hamper the investigation.
He, however, said that three guards should have put up some resistance, adding that one of them had once been in the army. He said that the entire situation was “suspicious”, but he could say nothing for sure.
Abdur Razzaque Cheema, another investigator, said that police were trying their utmost to ensure Weinstein’s quick and safe recovery. He said that all exit and entry points of the city were being watched.
Police described the abductors as Urdu-speakers, and hence unlikely to be from the tribal areas, wearing Western-style shirts and trousers, according to witness testimony from one of Weinstein’s guards.
Investigators told AFP they have been frustrated by a lack of witnesses coming forward to say they saw him being driven off in what kind of vehicle.
Police say Weinstein is from the US state of Maryland and speaks Urdu.
“This is a high-profile case and two police teams are busy in the investigation,” said Hayat. “There are up to 25 local Pakistani staff working under him and we’re also questioning them.
“We are collecting call data of all those working in the office.”
US embassy spokesman Alberto Rodriguez said embassy authorities were working with the Pakistanis on the investigation. One man told AFP on condition of anonymity that he had only seen a foreigner in the street twice in six years.
“I thought it was some NGO office. Not many houses are given on rent in this area,” he said.
Meanwhile, J E Austin Associate has appealed to the abductors to provide “Dr Warren with his required medication, citing his “old age and poor health”.
In their message, they said that Dr Warren was working for Pakistan’s “development and poverty reduction programmes”. (Additional input by AFP)
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2011.
COMMENTS (9)
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@Solomon2: That's what police do..
How could police know that if they didn't have a lead in the case?
@Chris, You have said it all! This is indeed very irresponsible to make comments without knowing the truth. Weinstein has done a great job in all these difficult parts of the world to help the poor. Especially in Pakistan, he has done instrumental work and has helped in creation of so many jobs for the poverty-stricken people of this country where the unemployment is high and the security situation is very bad. Such people deserve honour and respect for their great contribution. They risk their lives for those people who have no regard for their contribution. This is very tragic and shocking incident and is a disgrace for Pakistan indeed. I hope and pray he returns to his family safe and sound.
@Maher: This kind of irresponsible comment makes me angry. Weinstein had nothing to do with Davies. He is an aid worker with a well documented history of working in some of the poorest areas of the world, helping the poorest of the poor to put bread on the table for their families. These type of people put their entire lives on hold out of a desire to help others less fortunate than themselves. Instead of gratitude this is what they get. This type of incident only brings further shame to Pakistan and shows the world they cannot be trusted as an ally.
The person was Raymond Davis's chief
your headline is ABSURD. clueless? there are lots of clues. 'still nowhere near...'? it happened a little over 48 hours ago, not seven months ago. there are plenty of clues. there are plenty of indications of motive. it's patently obvious that this man was kidnapped for cash either by people close to his project, people who worked directly with his company, or people his company used to do business with. the police might not have this wrapped up but it's the most clue-strewn kidnap of a foreign national in months. it comes down to cash, surely? unlike the tourists kidnapped in balochistan, whose case is far murkier. not trying to fly the flag for cops in this country in any way at all - just trying to understand why your journalism is so continually, wildly inaccurate...
@Oberoi
Perfect !!
No better statement of truth than yours
With Pakistan's credibility being where it is, even if the police and intelligence agencies REALLY didn't know anything, nobody would believe them. That's what happens when lying becomes part of your foreign policy.
The abductors can now track the course of investigation and plan ahead by reading Express Tribune!