Solecki's kidnappers extend deadline

QUETTA-The Baloch Liberation United Front (BLUF) on Monday extended the deadline earlier given for the murder of UN official John Solecki in case of non-acceptance of their demands. Shayhuq Baloch claiming to be the spokesman of BLUF calling to Quetta Press Club via satellite phone from undisclosed location said, 'we are giving more time to the govt to accept our demands'. He further said that on the appeal of respectable Baloch leaders, BLUF has extended its deadline, however, he warned that if govt did not accept their demands and did not release 141 women who according to BLUF were languishing in torture cells of secret agencies, they would be compelled to take extreme steps. John Solecki, the head of the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Quetta , was kidnapped on February 2. Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik has said that list of women released by BLUF was unrealistic and no woman was under detention of law enforcement agencies. Meanwhile, search operation for recovery of UN official is underway at different areas of Balochistan including Dalbadin, Naukandi, Girdi Jangal, Yak- Machh and Pak-Afghan border, while several people have been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of UN official. However, so far no any major progress has been made regarding his recovery Meanwhile, Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Aslam Raisani said the govt was making all-out efforts for the safe and early recovery of UN official John Solecki. 'We are hopeful that he will be recovered safely'. He expressed these views while talking to a delegation of UNHCR led by Ms Guenet Guebre Christos which called on him here on Monday. Chief Minister Balochistan told the delegation that provincial govt and all other concerned authorities were making hectic efforts for the release of John Solecki while Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik had also visited Quetta to review the efforts for the recovery of UN official. 'Government was also using political channels for the release of abductee', Raisani added. On the occasion the concerned authorities of law-enforcement agencies briefed the delegation regarding steps taken for the recovery of John Solecki, on which the delegation expressed its satisfaction. Appreciating the efforts of govt, the head of delegation Ms. Guenet Guebre Christos said her organisation was working for the welfare and well being of Afghan refugees in Balochistan. The Chief Minister directed law enforcement agencies to ensure foolproof security for workers of all international organisations working in Balochistan including UNHCR. He directed law enforcement agencies to devise a joint strategy to prepare a joint security plan for the security of foreigners.

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