UN official John Solecki set free

QUETTA-UNHCR official John Solecki was released by Baloch Liberation United Front (BLUF) after keeping in
captivity for over two months.
'We are releasing John Solecki on humanitarian grounds, and should serve as a message to UN and world
community, that Baloch people are not terrorists, but an educated and civilised nation, said Mir Shahiq Baloch,
spokesman for BLUF by calling a local news agency on Saturday.
John Solecki, head of UNHCR office in Quetta was abducted on February 2, after gunmen ambushed his car
and killed his driver Syed Hashim outside his residence.
Shahiq Baloch said that they had kidnapped the UN official to make UN pay attention to the 'plight of the Baloch
people.
He said that they had a lot of respect for Nawab Khair Bakhsh Marri and Nawabzada Harbiyar Marri and
,therefore, they released John Solecki on their plea.
He said that thousands of Baloch men and women were in torture cells which was clear violation of human rights.
'Pakistani authorities are using delaying tactics so that we should kill him or he may die in our captivity because
of illness, he said ,adding, that by using delaying tactics Pak authorities wanted to paint us as terrorists.
He said that they have no trust in Pak authorities and expected the UN and other humanitarian organisations
would take practical steps for the recovery of thousands of missing Baloch men and women.
He said that John Solecki had been released in Khadkhutcha area of Mastung district.
After his release police and Frontier Corps personnel took John Solecki in their custody and he was rushed to
FC Fort. A team of doctors examined John Solecki and provided him necessary treatment.
Later on, the Chief Minister of Balochistan Nawab Muhamamd Aslam Raisani himself reached Mastung and
brought UN official to Quetta.
In a statement issued by UNHCRs High Commissioner Antonio Guterres said that the UN was deeply relieved
to confirm that John Solecki, the UN refugee agencys representative in Quetta who had been abducted over two
months ago has been released near Quetta on Saturday.
John Solecki was located by the Pak authorities at Khadkhutcha some 50 km south of Quetta.
The humanitarian worker, who has existing health concerns, will be getting medical attention and reunited with
his family as soon as possible.
'I and all of my UNHCR colleagues world-wide are extremely relieved to learn of the safe release of John Soleki
after more than two months in captivity. We are especially happy for Johns family and friends who have been so
supportive during this difficult ordeal, said UNHCRs High Commissioner Antonio Guterres.
'I am particularly grateful to everyone who has worked so hard to secure Johns release, including UN and
UNHCR security staff, Baloch leaders who have provided consistent support, and the Pak authorities.
'UNHCR looks forward to continuing its humanitarian efforts in Pakistan
as part of the UN team working on behalf of all of the people, he added.