DERA GHAZI KHAN, Feb 2: Dispute over the ransom amount and its distribution between two groups has delayed the release of the abducted EDO (health) who was supposed to be freed a few days ago following negotiations. The Border Military Police are reluctant to start an operation against the kidnappers for the safety of the official.

DG Khan EDO (Health) Dr Mushtaq Rasool was kidnapped by the Akri gang 10 days ago and handed over to the Chhoto Mazari alias Mureeda Nukani Gorchani gang. Muzaffargarh city police had registered a case against unidentified culprits.

Regional Police Officer Muhammad Nawaz had directed DPOs of all districts of DG Khan division to recover the EDO safely.

Police succeeded in tracing the whereabouts of the kidnappers in the tribal belt of Rajanpur district and the administration decided to negotiate with the kidnappers instead of conducting a raid.

Sources told Dawn the kidnappers had on Thursday struck a deal for the EDO’s release with a tribal delegation sent by the Gorchani tribe chief, Perwaiz Gorchani. But they said the release could not be secured due to a dispute between the kidnappers regarding the ransom amount and who would pay it.

Political assistant in the area and commandant of the Rajanpur Border Military Police, Farooq Sadiq, said he avoided a raid keeping in view the safety of the EDO. PPP MPA Ather Khan Gorchani demanded the government deploy Rangers to rid the tribal area of criminals involved in kidnappings for ransom.

Until the filing of this report, official and tribal sources were confident the negotiations would succeed soon.

MUZAFFARGARH: Family of the kidnapped EDO is concerned over his safety as they claim the Border Military Police and other law enforcement agencies are not conveying them information about Dr Mushtaq Rasool’s whereabouts.

Local PMA leader Dr Mehr Iqbal said according to Dr Rasool’s son police were not providing clear information about his father, adding everything previously told about the release seemed rumours.

The government should take BMP and the Gorchani chief on board in negotiating the matter. “We demand the government be honest with all of us otherwise we will have no option but to take stern steps until his recovery,” Dr Iqbal added. He said the BMP had earlier claimed to have recovered the EDO but so far they had done nothing.

Earlier, the BMP and Dera police had received a message the EDO would be recovered soon but his family claimed they had not been contacted by anyone. A delegation also met the Muzaffargarh DPO and demanded recovery of the kidnapped EDO.