PESHAWAR, Oct 9: Ghulam Qadir, a relative of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman, is the fourth victim of kidnapping who has been released after payment of ransom during the current year.
Mr Qadir was released by a kidnappers’ gang in Regi village after payment of ransom last Monday.
The MMA leader failed to get him released through government efforts and the family had to pay the ransom with the cooperation of city police.
Sources claimed that the city police had asked 20 police stations to pool Rs100,000 each, while the remaining amount was paid by the victim’s family to the kidnappers.
A police officer admitted that ransom had been paid but denied that police had collected money for the purpose.
Before the incident, three kidnapped people had been released during the current year after payment of ransom.
Sources said Asmatullah of Hayatabad was kidnapped on Feb 10 and freed after payment of ransom on the same day.
Ayaz of Hayatabad was kidnapped on Feb 27 and released after payment of ransom on March 1.
Shahid of Palosi Atozai village was kidnapped on July 24 and released by the kidnappers on Aug 25 after his family paid ransom.
Kidnappers killed Wahidullah and Mohabat Khan of Matani area after their families sought the help of the government and law-enforcement agencies for their release. They were kidnapped on May 21 after their retirement from the Pakistan Tobacco Company and were allegedly kept in Dara Adamkhel. Police did not register the case until after their murder on June 2.
A girl of New Defence Colony was kidnapped on June 22, however, she returned to her home without assistance of police.
Masud Khan of Mashukhel village in Badhber was kidnapped on Aug 29 and he returned to his home on Sept 25. The police station concerned did not register the case and was not informed about payment of ransom.
Asmatullah of Naigano Ghari area in Daudzai was kidnapped on Sept 23 allegedly by brothers-in-law of Libas Khan of the same area.
The victim had allegedly entered the house of Libas Khan in his absence. Asmatullah returned to his home a few days later but police did not register a case.
Qobees Shinwari and Iqbal were kidnapped on Sept 13 by a gang of kidnappers from Khyber Agency. Qobees escaped on Sept 19 and Iqbal reached his home on Sept 24.
Raza Khan was kidnapped from Maqsoodabad area in Daudzai on Sept 8 allegedly by a group belonging to Terrah valley and he is still in captivity of the kidnappers.
Ibrar was kidnapped on May 31 from Urmar area but he returned to his home without paying ransom a few days later.
Unknown kidnappers picked up Azmaray of Regi Lilma on Feb 10 and his whereabouts are still unknown.
Ajmal of Shadbagh Colony in Yakatoot was kidnapped allegedly by Ismail and his accomplices over a monetary dispute on June 2. He was freed 13 days later when the dispute was settled.
Malyara of Mosazai locality in Yakatoot was kidnapped on Aug 20 and she has not been recovered yet.
Police recovered Moeed of Gulbahar after his kidnapping on July 17 and arrested the kidnappers.
Imran of Sheikhabad locality in Gulbahar was kidnapped for ransom from Faqirabad area on Aug 23 but he escaped on Sept 3.
Khalid of Sardar Ahmad Jan Colony in Faqirabad was allegedly kidnapped by Irfanullah over a monetary dispute and he is still in captivity.
Liaqat Ali of Gulozai was kidnapped on July 9. Police recovered him on the same day and arrested the kidnappers.
Musarat of Taza Gul Ghari in Hashtnagri was kidnapped on April 4 allegedly by Kala Khan and his accomplices and sold to a brothel in Karachi but she escaped and reached her home on July 21.
A businessman Toti Shah allegedly killed his three brothers-in-law and kidnapped his wife Zareena with her three children. He reportedly took them to Terrah valley. The five have still not been recovered and police have not registered the case.