KOHAT, Jan 29 The Tehrik-i-Taliban, Darra Adamkhel chapter, on Thursday gave one week deadline to the government to accept their demands, otherwise they would kill the kidnapped Polish geologist.

A spokesman for the Darra Taliban called Dawn's office here on Thursday and said “We cannot wait more as the government has taken acceptance of our demands (in return) for the release of Polish geologist Peter (Stanczak) very light. So, our Shura has decided to wait till Feb 4 evening for a positive reply from the government and in case of refusal we will kill him.”

The spokesman, who identified himself as Mohammad, said they had demanded from the government complete withdrawal of security forces from tribal areas and release of their captured companions. To a question, he said “We are not interested in ransom and just want the government to accept our two longstanding demands.”

The Polish geologist working for the Oil and Gas development Company Limited is in the custody of the Taliban reportedly at a place near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. He had been kidnapped from an OGDCL facility near the Jand town of the Attock district, Punjab, four months ago.

He had been shifted from Attock in a boat through the Indus

River to Kohat and then taken by the Taliban to their hideout.

The Taliban had released his video in which the victim had appealed to his government to request Pakistan for acceptance of demands of the Taliban to save his life.

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad march
Updated 27 Nov, 2024

Islamabad march

WITH emotions running high, chaos closes in. As these words were being written, rumours and speculation were all...
Policing the internet
27 Nov, 2024

Policing the internet

IT is chilling to witness how Pakistan — a nation that embraced the freedoms of modern democracy, and the tech ...
Correcting sports priorities
27 Nov, 2024

Correcting sports priorities

IT has been a lingering battle that has cast a shadow over sports in Pakistan: who are the national sports...
Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...