Kidnapped cardiologist Dr Tareen recovered from Balochistan

The cardiologist was kidnapped on September 17, abductors had asked for Rs50 million in ransom.

QUETTA: Cardiologist Dr Munaf Tareen was recovered from Othal area of Balochistanon Sunday according to sources.

Kidnappers had asked for Rs50 million in ransom.

Dr Tareen was freed by his captors in the early hours of Sunday after remaining in captivity for 78 days.

The kidnappers released him in Welpat in Bela, a deserted area about 60 kilometers from Othal. Dr Munaf, who is in his late 60s, had to walk about six kilometers to reach Bela police station.

“Dr Munaf Tareen is sick and his feet are bruised,” said District Police Officer (DPO) Lasbela Ahmed Nawaz Cheema. “He has been shifted to Karachi for medical attention and then will be taken back to Quetta.”

Quoting Dr Tareen, Cheema stated “I was kept for 12 days in a room somewhere in Quetta and was later taken to a deserted place near Khuzdar and Kalat, about 200 to 300 kilometers from Quetta. My captors talked in Balochi and Pashtu.”

“The kidnappers had severely tortured Dr Tareen and kept him in a dark room. We did not talk in detail but he is not completely stable now,” Dr Dawood, a close relative of Dr Tareen told the reporters.

A doctor on the condition of anonymity confirmed that Dr Tareen’s family has paid a large amount of money as ransom for his safe release. “The release took place because the kidnappers were paid money in millions,” he stated. He further claimed that the kidnappers had first demanded Rs 200 million, however, the amount was decreased later.

Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) had filed a petition in the Supreme Court for safe recovery of Dr Tareen and other missing doctors.

“Supreme Court assured us on November 27th that cardiologist will be recovered within few days,” said Dr Faiz Hashmi, General Secretary PMA.

He further added that doctors will end the boycott of Outdoor Patient Departments (OPDs) at all state-run hospitals but will continue the hunger strike until Dr Din Mohammed Marri and Dr Akbar Marri are recovered.  The doctors have been boycotting OPDs throughout the province for 17 days.

Background

Dr Tareen was kidnapped by armed men on September 17, in front of his hospital at the Pishin Bus Stop, Quetta. Tareen was the 26th doctor kidnapped for ransom from Balochistan.

Many doctors like Tareen run their private hospitals and clinics in Quetta where patients come not only from other parts of the province but also from war-torn Afghanistan.

On October 5, in order to recover the prominent cardiologist the Anti-terrorism force had conducted an operation at Chaman Road, Gulistan after receiving information. During the raid, the kidnappers had started firing at the forces which led to a standoff between the two, resulting in the death of one security personnel and several others being injured. Dr Tareen, however, was not recovered.

After his kidnapping, doctors in Balochistan had boycotted outpatient departments and protested for the quick recovery of the cardiologist and to put pressure on the government.

Condemning the kidnapping, Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) had called for a strike protesting against the kidnapping on September 24.