QUETTA, Oct 8: Balochistan Assembly Deputy Speaker Mohammad Aslam Bhootani has condemned the kidnapping of Raiz Mengal, a senior journalist of Khuzdar, and termed it part of continuing violence against journalists.

In a statement issued here on Monday, Mr Bhootani criticised the government’s handling of the case failure of the law-enforcement agencies in recovering Mr Mengal despite the passage of five days.

He said some influential people, who enjoyed the support of the government circles, were involved in the kidnapping of the journalist.

Mr Bhootani demanded of the chief minister and other officials concerned to take action against those who had been nominated in the FIR.

PROTEST: Journalists staged a demonstration in front of the Quetta Press Club on Monday to protest against the kidnapping of Mr Mengal.