ISLAMABAD: Police have registered a criminal case against unidentified persons over the attempted kidnapping attempt of journalist Taha Siddiqui.

The FIR includes charges under the Pakistan Penal Code’s Sections 365 (kidnapping or abducting with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine person), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 511 (punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or for a shorter terms) at the Koral police station.

A police officer told Dawn that an investigation had begun and the assistance of the Safe City project has been sought in this regard. There were no Safe City CCTV cameras installed at the spot where the incident took place, he said, adding that the chances of getting footage of the incident were slim. However, footage from nearby cameras would also be examined.

Mr Siddiqui, who claimed he was intercepted while on his way to the airport, said in his statement that the unidentified men deprived had him of all his belongings, including his cell-phone, passport, laptop and other technical equipment.

Published in Dawn, January 12th, 2018