MULTAN: Two Europeans working with a German NGO for flood rehabilitation in Multan were abducted on Thursday evening from Multan.
Giovanni and Bernd, employees of the "Welthungerhilfe" (German NGO), were returning from Kot Addu after visiting flood hit areas, when they were kidnapped at about 7:20 pm from Western Fort colony, Qasim Bela.
Of those kidnapped Bernd Johannes, who was previously reported as a German, is in fact a Dutch national and was working as an administration officer for south Punjab region based out of Multan. His companion, Giovanni was an Italian national and was working as the program administrator in the same non-governmental organisation.
Intelligence personnel looking in to the case confirmed that foreigners had been missing for last many hours. Following their abduction, their cell phones had been switched off.
A spokesperson for Welthungerhilfe Farzana Shah denied having any information about the matter and said that she could not confirm whether the two personnel had been kidnapped, only that the concerned personnel were out of reach.
An eye witnesses, though, told The Express Tribune that four masked, armed men drove up to their compound in a four wheel drive. Three of them entered the NGO's building and brought the two aid workers outside with them, stripped naked. They were then moved to an unknown location outside the colony.
According to police officials, one reason for stripping the men could be that the abductors did not wish to be traced via any homing device.
City Police Officer (CPO) Amir Zulfiqar Khan has started questioning neighbours as well as guards at the colony.
Police have cordoned off Multan city and checks on all vehicles entering or exiting Multan have been ordered.
Regional Police Officer (RPO) Multan, Mubarik Athar have alerted District Police Officers (DPO) of Multan, Vehari, Khanewal, Bahawalpur and Muzaffargarh too.
Welthungerhilfe has been working in the region for flood affectees. Farzana Shah said that the focal person for security of their organisation was in contact with local security authorities.
Italy confirms kidnapping of citizen
The Italian foreign ministry in Rome issued a statement, without giving further details on his identity.
"(The foreign ministry) confirms the abduction today of an Italian citizen in Multan, in the south of Punjab province," it said. "The ministry is in permanent contact with the family of the kidnapped person."
The ministry has activated its crisis unit and minister Giulio Terzi has asked to be constantly informed of developments, the statement said.
"As already in the past in similar situations," the ministry "will be discreet and is seeking cooperation from the media in this context so as not to compromise efforts at freeing our compatriot," said the foreign ministry statement.
COMMENTS (25)
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Well said Kamran. This incident is shameful, and a blot on our nation. Dont know when Pakistanis will come to their senses. Sharam ani chahiye aisi harkaton pay.
@Cautious: Forgot the floods in Sindh and Balochistan last monsoon (2011)?????
I cant believe people still go to Pakistan for help. its rated the 12st most failed Country and a Terrorist haven for a reason.
If they want to do good there are opportunities all over the World. Pakistan is just not safe for outsiders. They can serve humanity better by staying alive.
For those who do not agree with me just see the comments of the few above who are violently accusing them of nefarious things. It only takes one to kill the aid workers.
@ hamzad
An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.
@Faraz's comments, Love the so-called brainwashed "liberal Pakistanis" who only seem to care when a liberal or a westerner is harmed but ignore their so called countrymen in their backyard and the plight THAT does matter. This is the trend constantly seen here in this website. Also, your comment literally says to me "I love everything western and despise my people and religion because they didn't contribute crap." I am a history-freak and I assure you, open up an unbiased textbook and appreciate your religion and her people and not just of the western people.
Please guys don't fight here everyone has their own perspective. If we start fighting then what will others think about us. It's time to unite all of us.
A really sad incident... @hamzad: Shame 0n you, people like u are s curse for Pakistan.. may God save these foreginers from terrorists and save us from people like u
@hamzad: disgusting comments....
My heart goes out to the aid workers and there families i hope they return home safely they were only trying to help and to people like Hamzad you really need to have your brain examined your sick and you disgust me People like you who dont care and respect human life are the ones giving all pakis a bad name please go and troll some place else
Flood happened in 2010, what were they still doing there??????????
@Falcon: I beg to disagree, hundreds of spies from international intelligence agencies working under the guise of "NGO workers" have been identified and sent back by ISI to thier countries, and still there are hundreds of them to be sent back, good job ISI, well done and keep it up. its time we win our country back from any adventurers who think they can do what ever they want on our soil and can get away with it.
Pathetic, disgusting, and shameful!!! I work for an international organization in an African country plagued with civil war, tribal conflict, discrimination, poverty and injustice. I am proud that democratic institutions are far better in my county......but I feel safer here than my own country.
@Hamzad, you are an ignoramus.
@Hamzad
I'll remember what you said the next time I am at the Liquor Store here in Canada and they are asking for donations for flood relief or whatever else in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Shame on you hamzad, people like you need to be converted. These aid workers are our guests, they are here to help poor and sick people.
@hamzad: You are a reprehensible person with contemptible views. (unless I missed the very subtle sarcasm)
What a terrible way to payback those few brave people who come to this dismal country to selflessly help others in much need of it. Hoping for their safe return.
What bothers me most is not the Kidnapping. The aid workers kidnapping is no more serious than the kidnapping, mutilation, and rape of thousands of innocent people in pak who are caught in cross fire.
What is bothersome are people like the commentator "Hamzad" above and the three other people who agreed with his comments. These are the most dangerous people of / to Pak.
@Hamzad
You are happy that foreigners helping flood victims have been kidnapped. Unbelievable. Why are you using the internet, a Western invention, that might harm your so called ''ideology'. And why do you read and write in English, a foreign language. Just learn Arabic and ride camels.
@hamzad: For the love of Lord...a human being who wants to help out is respectable whatever religion he / she come from...secondly, if our 'Muslim' brothers all over the world were doing what they were supposed to do to begin with...it is we who would have been helping other nations rather than other way around!