Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Quetta (Agenzia Fides) – Tension is high in the area of Quetta, North Pakistan, on the border with Afghanistan. The police have issued an alert in efforts to track down the guerrillas who kidnapped American citizen John Solecki, who worked for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in the area. Solecki, Office Manager of the UNHCR of the Province of Baluchistan (of which Quetta is the capital) was kidnapped yesterday, February 2, by a group of armed men who killed the driver of his vehicle, which carried the UN symbol.
According to observers and analysts in Pakistan, it seems to be a “political” kidnapping meant to send a warning to the Pakistani and US governments. There are two groups suspected in the kidnapping: the “Pakistani Taliban” or the armed separatist groups in the area, who are opposed to the positive relations between Pakistan and the US.
The region of Quetta is currently a dangerous area for Westerners. The local people, mainly “pashtun” and “beluchi” are not happy with the policies of the central government. This is where the separatist groups come from, against whom Islamabad has taken strong measures of repression.
After the kidnapping of John Solecki, security measures were reinforced in all the UN offices throughout Pakistan. An alert was launched for the possibility of other kidnappings in the region several weeks ago by the international humanitarian organizations.
The High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Gueterres, has expressed his dismay and bitterness at the attack and kidnapping of Quetta, assuring that he will do “everything possible to achieve his liberation.”
“UNHCR's mission in more than 110 countries around the world, including in Pakistan, is aimed solely at easing the plight of refugees, displaced people and innocent civilians in a totally impartial and humanitarian manner,” he said.
In addition to Westerners, workers in foreign firms, and diplomats, the Pakistani Christian minority is also suffering threats in the area (see Fides 17/6/2008 and 28/9/2006). (PA) (Agenzia Fides 3/2/2009)
