Kabul asks Islamabad for early recovery of its kidnapped ex-governor

PESHAWAR: The Afghan government has expressed deep concern over the kidnapping of the former governor of Herat and Kunar provinces, Syed Fazlullah Wahidi, in Islamabad on Friday and asked Pakistan to take serious steps for his early recovery.

The Afghan foreign ministry in Kabul also asked Pakistan to identify the kidnappers. 

Afghan officials said Wahidi was in Islamabad along with his family members to apply for visa to the British High Commission when he was kidnapped by unidentified men. 

According to Islamabad Police, Wahidi was kidnapped in Rana Market in Sector F-7 Friday.

Certain Afghan analysts accused the Pakistani authorities of sponsoring Wahidi’s kidnapping because he used to criticise Pakistan while serving as the governor of Kunar province. 

Meanwhile, former president Hamid Karzai also expressed concern over Wahidi’s kidnapping and asked the Pakistan government to undertake all out efforts to ensure his safe and early recovery. He demanded from the British government to empower its embassy in Kabul to issue visas for the UK to Afghan nationals so that they don’t have to travel to other countries to apply for British visas.

APP adds from Islamabad: Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has sought a report over the kidnapping of the former governor of the Afghan province of Herat.

Chairing a high-level meeting over the law and order situation in the city, he also sought an explanation from the authorities concerned over the incident.

The minister was informed that during the last 24 hours, concrete progress had been achieved in the investigation into the kidnaping of the former Herat governor who would be released soon.