Former ANP leader kidnapped in Quetta

Armed men intercepted former ANP provincial president Kasi's vehicle near Patel Road.

QUETTA: A group of armed men kidnapped former president of Awami National Party (ANP) Balochistan chapter Arbab Zahir Kasi from Patel road, downtown of Quetta city on Wednesday.

According to Quetta Police, Kasi was on his way to visit his relatives in downtown of Quetta when a group of armed men intercepted his vehicle near the intersection on Patel Road.

They harassed the driver, snatched his mobile phone as well as the car key and drove the former ANP leader to an undisclosed location.

“The driver tried to resist the kidnapping attempt but the kidnappers harassed him,” a police officer said quoting the driver. The driver is now in police custody for further questioning.

Police reached the crime scene after the incident and started investigating into the matter. Security has been beefed up at all the entry and exit points of the city.

Incidents of kidnapping for ransom are common in Balochistan especially in the provincial capital Quetta. This is the second important personality who was kidnapped in one month.

A group of armed men had kidnapped prominent cardiologist Dr Munaf Tareen on September 17 in front of his heart hospital at the Pishin bus stop right in the heart of Quetta city. He is the 26th doctor in Balochistan who was kidnapped for ransom during the past couple of years.

On October 21 doctors at state-run hospitals in Balochistan had warned the government that they will tender their resignations if the government failed to ensure safe recovery of Dr Tareen and provide effective security to the medical profession.

As many as 84 doctors have so far migrated from Balochistan because of threats to their lives and property. They are either living in other parts of the country or have gone abroad.  More doctors want to leave Balochistan at the first opportunity in the wake of deteriorating law and order situation.