QUETTA: Well-known cardiologist, Dr Munaf Tareen was recovered from Balochistan's Lasbela district during the wee hours on Sunday, police and family sources confirmed.

Dr Haqdad Tareen, a senior leader of Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) told Dawn.com that the kidnappers had dropped Dr Munaf Tareen at a deserted place in Uthal area of Lasbela district.

"Yes he is safe and sound", Dr Tareen said.

The kidnapped doctor was shifted from Uthal to Karachi after his recovery.

Family sources said that Dr Tareen had sustained gunshot injuries upon offering resistance during the time of his abduction and that the wounds had spoilt over time during his captivity.

They further said that he was shifted to Karachi where he would undergo medical treatment after which he would return to Quetta.

Dr Munaf Tareen, who spent two and half months in captivity, was abducted by armed men from Quetta's high security zone Pishin Stop on September 17 this year.

The PMA had been pressing authorities for Dr Tareen's quick recovery and holding protests on roads and were observing a boycott of government run hospitals in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan against his kidnapping.

There was no claim of responsibility for the doctor's kidnapping.

Dr Haqdad Tareen, however, told Dawn.com that despite his colleague's recovery, doctors would continue their protest for safety.

Kidnapping of doctors in Quetta remains a constant threat.

Gunmen had earlier kidnapped well-known psychiatrist Dr Ghullam Rasool, Dr Saeed Ahmed Khan and other doctors and set them free later only after receiving heavy ransom amounts.

Though un-confirmed, Dr Munaf Tareen's recovery also appears to have been a result of ransom payment as sources claimed that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of Rs 50million.