PESHAWAR, Feb 9: The Action Committee of the Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) has convened a meeting of local leadership of political parties, rights organisations and traders’ bodies on Sunday at the Peshawar Press Club to chalk out a line of action for the early recovery of Sohail Qalander, resident editor of daily Express.

The decision was taken here on Friday.

Meanwhile, journalists Imran Bukhari, Fida Mohammad Adeel, Tariq Waheed, Amjad Ali Khadim and others observed hunger strike at the camp set up in front of the press club.

The general secretary of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, People’s Party Parliamentarians senior vice-president Syed Qamar Abass, former Peshawar nazim Azam Afridi and NWFP Chief Minister’s Advisor Mohammad Rahim Haqani visited the hunger strike camp and expressed solidarity with the protesting journalists. The 38-year-old journalist and a friend of his were kidnapped from Hayatabad on Jan 2 and the vehicle they were travelling in was found abandoned in the area.

APP adds: Governor Aurakzai assured a delegation of senior local journalists that the government through the political administration was making all-out efforts for the safe recovery of Mr Qalandar. “Administration has initiated action against the respective tribe under collective responsibility,” he said.