---

February 16, 2009	Monday	Safar 20, 1430

---

QUETTA, Feb 15: Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani said on Sunday that a search operation had been launched for a UN official kidnapped in the provincial capital on Feb 2.

Talking to newsmen in the office of the provincial election commissioner, he said all possible efforts were being made to trace John Solecki.He said investigators had got important leads and some arrests had been made.

Replying to a question, the chief minister confirmed that some foreign teams were in Quetta and they were in contact with local investigators.

“I have heard about the arrival of some foreign teams in connection with Mr Solecki’s kidnapping, but they have not met me,” he said.

Responding to another question, he said the kidnappers had not contacted the government so far.

Mr Raisani said law-enforcement agencies had arrested some people allegedly involved in target killings in the province.

“But, I cannot disclose details,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Party has expressed deep concern over the kidnapping of the UNHCR official and termed it a conspiracy against the Baloch struggle.

A spokesman of the party asked the kidnappers to immediately release Mr Solecki because humanitarian work had been affected by the kidnapping.

“The struggle for Baloch national self-determination will be badly affected by this incident,” he said in statement.