PESHAWAR, Dec 9: The NWFP Paramedical Association has warned of strike at all teaching hospitals in the city if their colleague, who was kidnapped in August, was not recovered within a week.

This was announced by the provincial chief of the Paramedical Association (PMA), Sirajuddin Burki, while addressing a protest rally held in front of the directorate of health here On Thursday.

"Kamaluddin, a medical technician was kidnapped on August 23, from the basic health unit of Abdullah Killey in tehsil Bara, Khyber Agency, but he has not been recovered despite repeated calls by the association for his release," he said.

Holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans in support of their demands and against the political agent of the Khyber Agency, scores of paramedics drawn from different hospitals of the province, also raised slogans against health authorities and political agent of the Khyber Agency.

Mr Burki accused the political administration of the Khyber Agency of being hand in glove with kidnappers. Kamranuddin, 5, and Somi, 3, the son and daughter of the kidnapped technician, also accompanied the protesting paramedics. Both wept profusely, asking the authorities to secure the release of their father.

"We are unsure about the safety of Kamaluddin, but the political authorities say he is safe," said Salahuddin, brother of Kamaluddin. A resident of Peshawar, Kamaluddin was kidnapped allegedly by two people Menatai and Sakhi, who were now demanding Rs600,000 for former's release. The PMA's chief said Kamaludddin was a poor man and his whole family depended on his salary.