PESHAWAR - At least eight persons kidnapped the executive director of a media house at gunpoint from the provincial capital’s Hayatabad Industrial Estate area in the wee hours of Wednesday.

Police have registered an FIR and started conducting raids to recover the abductee.

Daily Jang Executive Director Abid Abdullah was in the provincial metropolis in connection with some office work and was residing in a five-star hotel. On the night between Tuesday and Wednesday, Abid along with his driver Zafar Hussain, a resident of Chungi Amarsadhu, Lahore, visited Jang Press in Hayatabad Industrial Estate. After finishing his work at about 3:15am, he left the office. As soon as his car reached the road of the industrial estate, eight armed men in two cars intercepted the vehicle and took them hostage at gunpoint. Three of the armed men also boarded the car of Abid Abdullah and left for some unknown place.

Later, Abid’s driver, who was released by the gunmen, while recording his statement to the police, said the armed men, after boarding the car, said, “You are our guests, we will go to your hotel with you and take tea.” According to the driver, Abid Abdullah told the armed men that he was ready to pay money as per their demand for his release if he had been kidnapped for ransom. But the kidnappers said they were not working for money. The driver further said when their car came close to the hotel, the kidnappers ordered him not to go towards the hotel. “As the car reached near the U-turn of Govt Higher Secondary School No 1, the gunmen ordered me to stop the vehicle, asked Abid Abdullah to sit in another car and left for some unknown destination. After 15-minute driving, they ordered me out of the car on the way. They also ordered me to close my eyes, keep my head down and not to raise it, otherwise I will be killed. After remaining in the car for 15 minutes, I reached Hayatabad Jang Press,” the driver told the police. He also disclosed they were not stopped at any check post or picket from Industrial Estate to Firdous for checking.

He also stated the kidnappers told Abid Abduillah that several other senior journalists would also become their guests soon.

Meanwhile, taking notice of Abid’s abduction, Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak ordered immediate recovery of Abid Abdullah and arrest of the kidnappers.

BUREAU REPORT