PESHAWAR: Two doctors, who were kidnapped from South Waziristan tribal district early last month, have appealed to the government to take steps for their release in a video released here on Sunday.

District tuberculosis control officer, South Waziristan, Dr Noor Hanan and Dr Abidullah, who was attached with French charity ‘Médecins du Monde’, were kidnapped in September.

Both the doctors appeared in a minute and 23 second long video circulated on social media and WhatsApp groups. The video shows Dr Hanan sitting in a dimly-lit room while two persons carrying AK-47 rifles with their faced covered standing on his sides. A white banner carrying the name of banned Tehreek-Taliban-Pakistan in black letters hangs in the background.

In the video, Dr Hanan says he along with Dr Abidullah had been in TTP custody and appealed to the prime minister, governor and their employers to make efforts for their release. “Our lives are in danger,” he said.

Dr Abid said he was working with French charity MDM in Tank district and was kidnapped from Khesur area of Tairza tehsil. He asked the MDM high-ups to ensure his release from TTP.

Meanwhile, a statement issued here said that KP government spokesperson Ajmal Wazir went to the residence of Dr Hanan and assured the family of every possible effort for securing his release.

Published in Dawn, October 14th, 2019