QUETTA: Armed men kidnapped Balochistan Higher Education Secretary Abdullah Jan in Quetta on Wednesday morning, police officials said.
Jan’s son Mohammad Attiuqe told the media that his father was on his way to work when unidentified armed men in a white Toyota Vitz kidnapped him near his house.
According to reports, he was kidnapped along with his driver. However, the abductors released the driver near Sabzal Road area and drove off an unknown location.
Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri took notice of the kidnapping and directed the Queeta Director Inspector General (DIG) Abdul Razzaq Chema to ensure his immediate recovery. A search operation was launched in various parts of Quetta to recover the secretary.
No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction so far.
Jan’s abduction comes at a time when Pakistan’s 6th census is underway throughout the country and a large number of government employees, including those from the education department, are participating in the process.
Earlier on Tuesday, suspected militants had kidnapped three government school teachers in Balochistan’s Awaran district.
The three teachers were reportedly returning from a training session facilitated by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics for the national census.