90 people kidnapped in 8 months

Ninety people have been kidnapped across Karachi so far this year.

KARACHI: Ninety people have been kidnapped across the city so far this year with most of their families having to pay large sums of money in ransom to ensure the release of their loved ones.

The highest number of kidnappings took place in June and in the east zone of the city. According to data collected by the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), there were 30 victims from the east zone that includes areas such as Landhi, Mubina Town, Sukkan, Korangi, Sharae Faisal, al Falah, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Steel Town, Surjani Town, PIB Colony, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Sachal, New Town, Korangi Industrial Area, Sharafi Goth, Gadap, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Awami Colony, Memon Goth and Shah Latif Town.

The second highest number of kidnappings for ransom took place in the south zone of the city from where 23 cases were reported in Chakiwara, DHA, Soldier Bazaar, Risala, Mauripur, Garden, Gizri, Baghdadi, Mahmoodabad, Brigade, Ferozabad, Saddar, Clifton, Kharadar, Preedy and Jackson. In the west zone, 14 cases of kidnappings for ransom were reported from the areas of Taimoria, Sharifabad, Sharae Noor Jahan, Gulberg, North Nazimabad, Pak Colony, Sir Syed Town, Saeedabad, Orangi Town, Pirabad and Site.

According to the CPLC, 14 kidnappings were reported in January. Out of the 90 people who were kidnapped, 28 were released after paying a total sum of Rs37.3 million. The largest sum of money demanded in ransom in one case was Rs11 million. It was paid by a trader who was kidnapped from Surjani Town.

The body of a trader, identified as Abdul Hadi, was found in the Lyari River, despite the fact that his family had paid a sum of Rs6 million in ransom. Hadi’s driver, Furqan, was arrested by the police, and identified two accomplices in the incident. They too were arrested later.  Three other people were killed. One body was found in Gharo and two bodies were found in a well in Dumba Colony. The latter had been kidnapped on June 8, 2010, from Ferozabad. The police later arrested three suspects in the case.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11^th, 2010.