ISLAMABAD: The father of a seven-year-old girl, who had been kidnapped from outside her house on July 27, suspects the involvement of some influential people in the abduction of his daughter, Zarnish Naveed, who has been recovered by paying Rs 1.5 million ransom in wee hours of Friday.
Zarnish’s family told that the child returned home at around 3 am on Friday after they paid the ransom to her captors.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Ahmad Naveed Mehdi said that civil and military law enforcement agencies, along with the local police have helped us a lot, and ransom was paid with their consent in a bid of her safe recovery.
Naveed said that investigation is under way and within 24 hours, investigators would reveal some big names, which are involved in this illegal racket.
He said that Rs 1.5 million were paid in cash somewhere in Islamabad or Rawalpindi while declining to disclose any further details for fears that it could potentially undermine the ongoing investigation.
However, upon contact, SHO Lohi Bher, Mahboob Ahmad revealed that ransom was not paid with the consent of police or any authority, adding that they paid the abductors on their own will. Yes, the girl is recovered, he said.
When contacted, investigation officer, ASI Sultan Ahmad said that police had no role in paying the ransom to the abductors, adding that police are still clueless about abductors and investigation is underway.
He further said that he was unaware which law enforcement agencies were in constant contact with him.
Meanwhile, when Naveed gave his written statement to the investigation officer, he said that he informed the police about the demand of ransom which he is willing to pay; however, the investigation officer denied knowing this information.
It is noted that Zarnish Naveed had been abducted by two motorcyclists from outside her house on July 27, according to the Facebook post of her uncle, Captain Umar.
“She was with my other nieces as they were coming back from a park when two men on a bike came from behind and took her,” he said.
“It was around 10 pm on July 27 and I was in the garage of the house when I heard the children’s screams,” said Naveed, adding that he saw that he saw Zarnish’s bicycle lying on the ground when two motorcyclists were taking her away, following which, he immediately passed on the information to the security management.
A case was registered subsequently.
Her uncle was the first one to announce her recovery on social media.
“Alhamdulillah Zarnish’s back…thank you everyone for all your prayers and concern. I along with my family am highly indebted to you all… but above all thanks to Allah Almighty,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, the police refused to give any information about the investigation.
However, the fact that police have been unaware of the ransom being paid with the help of law enforcement agencies raises several questions about its performance.
