Mazaris still in captivity

Published April 8, 2003

DERA GHAZI KHAN, April 7: Relatives of Punjab Assembly deputy speaker Shoukat Khan Mazari, who were abducted on March 18, could not be got released from the alleged captivity of Bugti outlaws.

Siraj Khan (50) and Hymayoun Haroon (26) were kidnapped on the Indus Highway when they were coming back after dropping Shoukat Mazari at his native residence at Rojhan Mazari.

Siraj Khan is a district food controller in Rahim Yar Khan while Hymayoun Khan is the son-in-law of Siraj Khan. Besides, both of them are nephews of Shoukat Khan Mazari.

Probably, this is for the first time that alleged Bugti outlaws abducted members of Mazari Tumandar family. It is being speculated by the Mazari tribesmen that there are some political differences between Shoukat Mazari and the former caretaker prime minister and chief of the Mazari tribe.

It is pertinent to mention that Akbar Khan Bugti, chief of the Bugti tribe, is an immediate relative of the Mazari tribe chief.

In this scenario, some quarters view that some Mazari tribal people might have abducted the two relatives of the deputy speaker.

Mir Balakh Sher Mazari said there was no truth in it that the abduction was the outcome of some internal differences of Mazari tumandar family.

By spreading such speculation, he said the administration was trying to hide its failure regarding the provision of security to the area people.

He strongly condemned the continued negligence of the government over the growing lawlessness in the area. He also admitted that there were some political differences between Shoukat Khan Mazari and him.

According to sources, the abducted relatives of the deputy speaker have been kept near the Sui field. They said the outlaws were demanding Rs2 million for their release.

Sources told Dawn that Hamayoun Haroon had talked with his relatives by telephone allegedly from the Bugti area.

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