ISLAMABAD: A 67-year-old Pakistani engineer, who was working as the project manager of the under-construction Torkham-Jalalabad road and kidnapped in Afghanistan, reached his home in Rawalpindi on Wednesday after remaining in captivity of criminals for 100 days.

Malik Faiz Ahmed was kidnapped on Aug 21 this year and was moved by the kidnappers to different areas in Afghanistan. He was recovered by efforts of the Pakistan Army, said the sources.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Ahmed’s son, Farhan Malik, said his father reached Peshawar on Tuesday and his residence in Rawalpindi’s Airport Housing Society on Wednesday.

He said his father would no longer be working on the road project. “Although he has grown very weak and is resting at home, he is not suffering from any injury or disease,” he said.

Mr Malik said his father was kidnapped when he was working on the project in Afghanistan. “My father has told us that he was abducted by criminals who could either be Taliban or members of some other group. They may also be working for some other country.”

In response to a question, he said he was not aware if any deal had been struck for Mr Ahmed’s recovery.

According to some sources, the kidnappers were demanding release of their comrades in exchange for setting the engineer free.

“However, the whole family is thankful to the army, Frontier Works Organisation and a private company, as they played key roles for my father’s safe release.

“Moreover, I am thankful to the media that kept the issue alive due to which my father was recovered,” Mr Malik added.

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2017