NUG takes all possible measures to ensure safe return of hostages in Zabul

The issue of rescuing the 31 abducted passengers in Zabul will be shared with the families of the abductees and a number of civil activists in National Security Council meeting, President’s spokesman said.

However, President’s spokesman says nothing about government’s efforts on rescuing the 31 abducted passengers but stressed that the National Unity Government (NUG) takes serious measures to release them.

Ajmal Obaid Abedi, Spokesman of president said, “The government hardly tries to rescue them, but we do not share the details because they are secret and we do not want the enemy to be aware of details.”

In late February, a group of unidentified armed men stopped two buses and abducted 31 passengers in the southern Zabul province and the government is yet to secure their release.

Nearly two months passed since since, 31 passengers were kidnapped on the Kabul – Kandahar highway and their fate remains uncertain.

Few days ago, In a desperate attempt to get the government’s attention to their plight, mothers of the kidnapped passengers set up tents in Zarnigar park demanding justice. The plight of the relatives of the kidnapped is further worsened by the fact that they have received little or no updates about the issue from the concerned government agencies and authorities.

The prominent case of the abduction of 31 Hazaras – mostly shopkeepers, day laborers and passengers visiting family – from Zabul province in late February is of particular ongoing concern.

Although, Abdullah Abdullah, the CEO of the National Unity government, today, has given a statement saying that securing the release of the 31 kidnapped passengers is their top priority. They are looking at all possible measures to ensure their safe return. But the Afghan government has not only failed to secure their release, it has also adopted an attitude of silence and secrecy about the kidnapping, the identity of the captors and their demands.

Afghanistan is one of the most challenging places for the humanitarian community, with death, kidnappings and attacks against humanitarians all too frequent.

Reported by Ahmad Farshad Saleh