QUETTA: Law enforcement agencies have failed to make any breakthrough in the kidnapping case of Balochistan Secretary of Higher Education Abdullah Jan.

He was kidnapped by three armed men on Brewery Road here on Wednesday morning while going to office from home.

Police, the Frontier Corps (FC) and other agencies investigating the incident conducted raids on some suspected places but could not find any clue to the kidnapped official.

“We are trying to trace whereabouts of Abdullah Jan and ensure his safe recovery,” a senior police officer said, adding that investigation teams were looking into different angles to find out the reason for the kidnapping.

According to family sources, the kidnappers have not contacted any member of the family of Mr Jan so far.

“We have not received any phone call from the kidnappers,” a close relative of the official told Dawn.

Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Secretary Shoaib Mir, on his return to Quetta from Gwadar after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s visit to the port city, visited the residence of the secretary.

The secretary met the father, brother and sons of Mr Jan, expressed solidarity with them and assured them that efforts were being made for his recovery.

Mr Mir said that Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri was monitoring the investigation and had asked the authorities concerned to ensure early and safe recovery of the official.

“Elements involved in the kidnapping incident will be brought to justice as soon as possible,” he said.

The chief secretary also convened a meeting to review investigation into the case. Investigation officials of police, the FC and other agencies briefed him on the progress made so far.

Security of the provincial secretaries and other senior government officials was beefed up as policemen were deployed at their offices and residences.

Snap checking of vehicles continued in the city while every vehicle leaving the city was checked by personnel of law enforcement agencies at all entry points of the city.

Published in Dawn, March 17th, 2017