THATTA: A large number of Christian community members, employees of revenue department and members of civil society organisations took out a rally and converged on the local press club on Sunday as part of their continuing protest over the recent kidnapping of a man, Irfan Masih.

The victim was lured into a honey-trap about a week ago and called to an area in Kandhkot, where he was kidnapped and held hostage in the adjacent riverine area.

Masih’s wife told the media that the kidnappers had contacted her to demand Rs1bn ransom for his release.

She said that during a direct contact, her family had offered Rs20,000 to the caller as this was the total amount she could arrange. She said the kidnappers did not accept the offer.

The affected family and protesters appealed the caretaker chief minister and federal authorities to help seek release of Irfan Masih who, they said, was being subjected to intense torture in dacoits’ custody.

Published in Dawn, September 25th, 2023