Family continues Khuzdar protests despite abducted woman's video message

Asma, who was allegedly kidnapped from Khuzdar, Balochistan, has given a statement stating that she went with the alleged kidnapper Zahoor Ahmed of her own free will. The claim comes amid Balochistan government's raids to recover Asma, while the Chief Minister said that a suspect involved in the incident had been arrested.

The kidnapping took place in Shehzad City, a posh area adjacent to the N-25 highway in Khuzdar, on Thursday night.

According to police sources, more than a dozen armed men entered Inayatullah Jatak’s residence on January 6, assaulted family members, and forcibly took Inayatullah’s daughter Asma with them.

After the incident, her relatives closed the N-25 highway for traffic at two places, Jhalawan Sabzi Mandi and Zero Point area, and staged a sit-in.

Khuzdar police held talks with the protesters several times under the leadership of SSP Javed Zehri, but these ended in vain.

This was followed by the spokesperson of the Balochistan government, Shahid Rind, stating that the police and Levies are conducting operations to recover Asma in Khuzdar. A suspicious person had been detained in Anjira after a raid.

A case was also registered against the main suspect Zahoor Ahmed and his accomplices under sections 365, 354, and 397 of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of the kidnapped woman’s brother, Abdul Hafeez Jatak. Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to immediately arrest the perpetrators and ensure the safe recovery of the kidnapped woman.

Shahid Rind said that the Balochistan government is taking all possible steps to protect the lives and property of the citizens and that no one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands. On the instructions of the Chief Minister of Balochistan, full cooperation is being provided to the police and Levies so that the accused are arrested soon and the kidnapped woman can be recovered.

Meanwhile, a joint video of Asma Baloch and Zahoor Ahmed Jamalzai has surfaced, in which Asma Baloch, speaking in Brahui language, claims that she was not kidnapped but went with Zahoor of her own consent. Zahoor also takes the same stance.

According to Zahoor, propaganda is being used against him in the media.

In response to the video, the sister of the alleged abductee also released a video in which she rejected Zahoor's statement and criticised the government and the administration.

Asma’s sister said in the video statement: “As you know, a video of my sister was released on social media by her kidnappers. I and the Baloch nation completely reject [the claims]. There is no doubt that this statement was made forcibly under the influence of the kidnappers. They are trying to blackmail us in vain so that we withdraw from our peaceful protest. Moreover, they are trying to change public opinion, which is in our favour.”

She further said, “After the release of this video, the administration and the government cannot claim that it is not possible to trace the criminals. The account or number from which this video was first shared can easily lead to the criminals. If, despite the release of this video, the government fails to arrest the criminals and rescue my sister, then I will consider that the administration is deliberately leaving the criminals free.”

Asma’s sister asserted that, “Until my sister is released and the criminals are severely punished, our protest will continue. We will intensify and expand our protest.”