Kharan Deputy Commissioner (DC) Munir Ahmed Soomro has been freed on Friday after nearly two weeks in the custody of armed men who abducted him while he was travelling in Balochistan.
According to reports, his release followed negotiations between local tribal elders and the men holding him.
A senior official of the Balochistan Home Department confirmed that Mr Soomro had been recovered safely, while a family member also confirmed his release.
Mr Soomro was abducted at gunpoint on Sept 20 while travelling from Quetta to Kharan in a private vehicle. The attackers intercepted the car in the Lajah area of Kharan district and took him along with his friend, driver and personal security guard.
The driver and security guard were released three days after the abduction, while Mr Soomro remained in captivity.
Following the incident, local police and the Frontier Corps (FC) launched a search operation in the area to locate the deputy commissioner, officials said.
Authorities also sought the help of local tribal elders to establish contact with the abductors. According to reports, negotiations between the elders and the armed men eventually resulted in an agreement for Mr Soomro’s release.
Babar Yousafzai, an aide to the Balochistan Home Department, welcomed the safe recovery of the deputy commissioner and said the government’s priority was to ensure the safety of civil servants and members of the public.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to restoring peace in Balochistan, stressing that authorities will continue taking measures to maintain law and order and protect the lives and property of citizens.
