Gomal Zam Dam workers: PHC summons high-ranking K-P, FATA officials to assist in case
Ransom to release abducted men increased to Rs160 million.
PESHAWAR:
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has summoned high-ranking officials to assist the court for the release of seven abducted men working for the Gomal Zam Dam project.
The PHC took up the case after a man named Ikram filed a writ petition in court seeking the release of the workers.
In Tuesday’s hearing, a PHC division bench comprising Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan and Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth, summoned Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary, home secretary, advocate general, deputy attorney general and additional chief secretary of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and to assist the court. The case hearing will take place today (Wednesday). The workers were abducted in South Waziristan Agency by unidentified armed men while returning home for Eidul Fitr on August 16.
The kidnappers demanded Rs150 million for their release and one of the workers was killed when the authorities failed to pay the amount in the given deadline. The deadline was later extended to December 3, but the money could not be paid. The ransom has now been increased to Rs160 million, but it’s not yet confirmed until when this amount is to be given.
Family members of the victims have frequently organised protests at the Peshawar Press Club, pleading the government to help secure the release of their relatives. They have threatened to immolate themselves if the government fails to do so.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2012.
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has summoned high-ranking officials to assist the court for the release of seven abducted men working for the Gomal Zam Dam project.
The PHC took up the case after a man named Ikram filed a writ petition in court seeking the release of the workers.
In Tuesday’s hearing, a PHC division bench comprising Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan and Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth, summoned Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary, home secretary, advocate general, deputy attorney general and additional chief secretary of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and to assist the court. The case hearing will take place today (Wednesday). The workers were abducted in South Waziristan Agency by unidentified armed men while returning home for Eidul Fitr on August 16.
The kidnappers demanded Rs150 million for their release and one of the workers was killed when the authorities failed to pay the amount in the given deadline. The deadline was later extended to December 3, but the money could not be paid. The ransom has now been increased to Rs160 million, but it’s not yet confirmed until when this amount is to be given.
Family members of the victims have frequently organised protests at the Peshawar Press Club, pleading the government to help secure the release of their relatives. They have threatened to immolate themselves if the government fails to do so.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 12th, 2012.