Month on, fears grow for kidnapped US aid expert
Police and the US embassy in Islamabad say there is still no breakthrough in Warren Weinstein case.
LAHORE:
Fears are growing in Pakistan for an elderly American development expert kidnapped a month ago in Lahore with police still drawing a blank over his whereabouts and the identity of his abductors.
Warren Weinstein, 70, country director for US-based consultancy JE Austin Associates, was snatched after gunmen tricked their way into his home on August 13, just days before he was due to return to the United States.
Police and the US embassy in Islamabad say there is still no breakthrough, with officials even unable to confirm whether Weinstein is still in the country.
(Read: Enhancing security: Foreigners asked to register with police)
"The abductors have not so far established any contact regarding their demands," Ali Amir Malik, an investigator on the case, told AFP.
"We are looking at the case from different angles. However, there is nothing substantial to state at the moment," Malik said.
Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the United States have been severely compromised this year by the American raid killing Osama bin Laden on May 2 and Pakistan's detention of a CIA contractor over double murder charges.
But a spokeswoman for the US embassy denied any negative repercussions.
"We're continuing to work closely with the Pakistani authorities on this. They (American investigators) have been very, very pleased with the level of cooperation," she said.
Although kidnapping of locals is commonplace, abductions of Westerners are rare and practically unheard of in Lahore.
Weinstein suffers from asthma, heart problems and high-blood pressure.
"One month in captivity is a great hardship for an elderly person who requires regular medication. We are concerned about his health," a Pakistani intelligence official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The official said investigators are trying to establish links with other prominent kidnappings in Pakistan as a means of tracking down those responsible for snatching Weinstein, who had been working in the country for years.
"We are trying to trace local facilitators who help high-profile kidnappers," the official said on condition of anonymity.
Three security guards and Weinstein's driver are still in custody amid suspicions that somebody in his inner circle leaked details of his movements.
"We do not know whether he is inside or outside Pakistan," the intelligence official told AFP, adding that the release of a sketch of one of the suspected kidnappers had failed to yield leads.
A colleague said staff were waiting "good news" of Weinstein's release.
"He is a nice human being. We have fond memories of him and pray for his health and safety," the official said, asking not to be identified.
Fears are growing in Pakistan for an elderly American development expert kidnapped a month ago in Lahore with police still drawing a blank over his whereabouts and the identity of his abductors.
Warren Weinstein, 70, country director for US-based consultancy JE Austin Associates, was snatched after gunmen tricked their way into his home on August 13, just days before he was due to return to the United States.
Police and the US embassy in Islamabad say there is still no breakthrough, with officials even unable to confirm whether Weinstein is still in the country.
(Read: Enhancing security: Foreigners asked to register with police)
"The abductors have not so far established any contact regarding their demands," Ali Amir Malik, an investigator on the case, told AFP.
"We are looking at the case from different angles. However, there is nothing substantial to state at the moment," Malik said.
Diplomatic relations between Pakistan and the United States have been severely compromised this year by the American raid killing Osama bin Laden on May 2 and Pakistan's detention of a CIA contractor over double murder charges.
But a spokeswoman for the US embassy denied any negative repercussions.
"We're continuing to work closely with the Pakistani authorities on this. They (American investigators) have been very, very pleased with the level of cooperation," she said.
Although kidnapping of locals is commonplace, abductions of Westerners are rare and practically unheard of in Lahore.
Weinstein suffers from asthma, heart problems and high-blood pressure.
"One month in captivity is a great hardship for an elderly person who requires regular medication. We are concerned about his health," a Pakistani intelligence official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
The official said investigators are trying to establish links with other prominent kidnappings in Pakistan as a means of tracking down those responsible for snatching Weinstein, who had been working in the country for years.
"We are trying to trace local facilitators who help high-profile kidnappers," the official said on condition of anonymity.
Three security guards and Weinstein's driver are still in custody amid suspicions that somebody in his inner circle leaked details of his movements.
"We do not know whether he is inside or outside Pakistan," the intelligence official told AFP, adding that the release of a sketch of one of the suspected kidnappers had failed to yield leads.
A colleague said staff were waiting "good news" of Weinstein's release.
"He is a nice human being. We have fond memories of him and pray for his health and safety," the official said, asking not to be identified.