Pakistani pilgrims kidnapped in Iran, ransom paid for release

ISLAMABAD: Another incident of Pakistani pilgrims being kidnapped for ransom while visiting Iran for ziaraat has been reported.

They were abducted by a gang comprising individuals from both Pakistan and Iran and were released after a ransom of Rs152 million was deposited with various Pakistani bank accounts.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has filed the FIR under Sections 3/6 PSMA 2018, 22(B) EO 1979, and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) against the kidnappers.

Two suspects involved in withdrawing cash from the mentioned banks have been apprehended, according to FIA sources. Earlier in February 2024, the FIA had dismantled a joint kidnapping gang involved in abducting Pakistani pilgrims in Iran.

Four gang members—three from Pakistan and one from Iran—were arrested, and the kidnapped individuals and the ransom money were recovered.

One of the victims, Iftikhar Ali from Islamabad, recounted his harrowing experience after being released by the captors. He, along with his friends Anjum Farooqui and Adnan Sikandar, travelled to Iran on February 29, 2024, for ziaraat. However, they were abducted during their journey, taken to border towns near Turkey, and subjected to torture. The captors demanded ransom from their families and released them upon payment.

The case came to light when Iftikhar Ali’s wife had lodged a complaint with the Pakistan Embassy in Tehran. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of two facilitators, Wajahat Hussain and Hamid Farooq, in Pakistan.

The FIA had revealed that the criminal group was well-organised, with members operating in both Pakistan and Iran.

The gang, led by a Pakistani named Haji Hamid Al-Hussani, had hired a translator to communicate with the victims and execute criminal activities. Despite initial progress, the investigation had faced obstacles, including the release of the prime accused, Saad Al-Mansoor, by the FIA.

The FIA emphasised the need for continued efforts to combat organised crime and ensure the safety of pilgrims and citizens travelling abroad.