Kidnapping for ransom on the rise, says NP chief
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• Abdul Malik Baloch notes deteriorating law and order situation is causing fear among the public and business community
• Recalls two prominent businessmen abducted recently
GWADAR: National Party President Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has expressed serious concern over the increasing incidents of kidnapping for ransom in Kech district, warning that the deteriorating law and order situation is creating severe insecurity among the public and business community and adversely affecting economic activity.
Speaking at a press conference, organised by All Parties Kech (APK) at the Turbat Press Club on Friday, he urged the relevant authorities to take immediate notice of the situation and adopt effective measures, warning that failure to act could further worsen conditions.
During the briefing, it was stated that two well-known and peaceful businessmen from Kech — Haseeb Yasin, son of Haji Yasin, and Shah Nawaz Gul Jan, son of Haji Gul Jan Rind — had been abducted for ransom, causing widespread concern across the district.
Dr Baloch said that over the past month, continuous contacts had been made with all relevant authorities, including the chief minister of Balochistan and the Inspector General of Police, but no satisfactory response or practical progress had been witnessed so far. He added that the issue was now being highlighted through the media due to lack of action.
He said that crimes such as kidnapping for ransom were paralysing business activities and instilling fear among investors, stressing that it was the government’s responsibility to ensure the safety of the business community and provide an environment where economic activities could be carried out without fear.
Addressing the presser, APK Convener Nawab Khan Shambizai warned that if the two abducted individuals were not recovered at the earliest, his party, lawyers’ organisations, traders’ bodies, doctors’ associations and other groups would stage a protest rally in Kech on January 5, followed by a complete district-wide strike on January 7.
The participants of the presser unanimously demanded that the government take immediate notice of the rising incidents of kidnapping for ransom, ensure the safe recovery of both abducted businessmen, and adopt concrete measures to improve the overall law and order situation in Kech district.
Representatives of various political and social organisations also attended the press conference, includingBalochistan Bar Council Vice Chairman Advocate Jadin Dashti, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam leader and former senator Ismail Baloch, Vice Chairman District Kech Mir Bahar Jameel Dashti, National Party Kech President Younis Javed, BSO Pajjar Chairman Boheer Saleh, PMA District President Dr Abdul Ghani Baloch,Kech Bar Association President Advocate Majid Shah, BNP Awami central leader Zareef Zadak Baloch, Anjuman-i-Tajran Kech President Nisar Ahmed Jouski and others.
Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2026
