QUETTA: Opposition and ruling political parties in Balochistan have put their heads together to bring an end to rise in incidents of kidnapping for ransom in Quetta and other troubled parts of the province.

Representatives of all political, nationalist and religious parties announced to stage a joint sit-in outside the parliament on January 12 to protest against the kidnapping of Awami National Party (ANP) leader Arbab Abdul Zahir Kasi and others.

Addressing a crowded press conference on Saturday at Quetta Press Club, Provincial Minister for Information Abdul Rahim Ziaratwal, who belongs to ruling Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), announced that all political parties have decided to take to the streets against target killers and kidnappers.

Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNP-M) Central leader Dr Jehanzaib Jamaldini, Rasheed Nasar of ANP and others were also present on the occasion.

“We will mount pressure on the law enforcement agencies to rein in kidnappers,” Ziaratwal said. He said the political parties’ representatives would also meet the chief minister and governor Balochistan to apprise them about the alarming situation.

Gunmen kidnapped Arbab Zahir Kasi from Quetta's busiest commercial area Moti Ram Road on October 23. Security agencies and police have remained clueless about his whereabouts.

The ANP has been protesting against the kidnapping since the incident. Kasi’s family has refused to pay the ransom to the kidnappers.

BNP leader Dr Jehanzaib said that main objective behind the protest was to bring an end to lawlessness in Balochistan. He said his party would stand by political forces regarding restoration of peace in the province.

A committee has also been formed to coordinate with mainstream political parties during struggle against lawlessness in Balochistan.

Malik Sikandar Advocate, the central leader of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) said that Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani, Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Sardar Akhtar Mengal would also join the protest in Islamabad.

The political parties also announced that if ANP leader was not recovered and peace not restored, then a resolution regarding formation of civilian force would be tabled in Balochistan Assembly.