PESHAWAR: Arbab Abdul Zahir Kasi, a senior leader of the Awami National Party kidnapped in Quetta about a year ago, was set free here on Sunday.

He proceeded to Islamabad after his release.

ANP general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain said he came to know about the development when Mr Kasi had reached Islamabad. “We spoke with him briefly,” he added.

Mr Kasi had been kidnapped from Patel Road in Quetta on Oct 23 last year when he was going to his relatives’ home. Party sources said he would soon fly to Quetta.

According to them, tribal elders and other people had been trying for his release but it was unclear whether he had been recovered by security personnel or set free by the kidnappers. It is also not known if any ransom had been paid.

“Only Mr Kasi can tell us the whole story, the ordeal he underwent and how his release came about,” an ANP leader said.

He is the second prominent person to secure freedom after having been kidnapped reportedly by militants.

The Islamia College University’s Vice Chancellor Muhammad Ajmal Khan was released on Aug 28 after remaining in Taliban’s captivity for four years. Officials have not disclosed details about his release.

But the Taliban claimed that the vice chancellor had been released in exchange for the freedom of their three leaders.

The Taliban are also suspected of holding Ali Gillani, son of former prime minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, and Shahbaz Taseer, son of slain Punjab governor Salman Taseer.

Saleem Shahid adds from Quetta: The kidnappers had demanded a huge amount of money for the release of Mr Kasi but the ANP leader is reported to have directed his family and elders of his tribe not to pay any ransom.

Published in Dawn, October 6th, 2014