Politician Kidnapped In SW Pakistan

Islamabad, Oct 23, IRNA – A political leader belonging to Awami National Party (ANP) leader was kidnapped on Wednesday in southwestern city of Quetta, local media reported. Police took Arbab Abdul Zahir Kasi’s driver into custody. He disclosed that their vehicle was intercepted by three armed men in a white car. The gunmen forcibly took Kasi away, the driver said, adding that the kidnappers had also subjected him to torture before snatching away his mobile phone and car keys. Police sealed the area as a search operation went underway. Quetta is the capital of Balochistan province which has seen an upswing in violence in recent months and is suffering from a separatist insurgency, sectarian violence and Taliban militants. Incidents of kidnapping for ransom have been on the rise in the province in general and in Quetta in particular./end