ASIA/PAKISTAN - The kidnapping of the two aid workers: some arrests, but the government withdraws the NGO WHF license

Multan (Agenzia Fides) - Police in Multan arrested 12 people suspected of being involved in the kidnapping of Giovanni Lo Porto and Bernd Johannes, the two German NGO "Welthungerhilfe" (WHF) ("Help to world hunger") aid workers, kidnapped on January 19 in Multan, in Punjab. The news, published in the local press, has been confirmed to Fides by sources in the civil society of Multan. Local sources of Fides add new aspects of what is locally called "the mystery of the kidnapping": the Pakistani government has withdrawn the NGO WHF the permission to carry out their humanitarian activities in Multan, calling it "suspicious." The WHF spokesman in Bonn (Germany), Simon Pott, asked by Fides, said that "it is a very tough accusation", saying it could not confirm or release any comment or details.
"It is an unjust and unworthy move, as WHF is working for the reconstruction after the flood and has put together plans for nearly 300 million dollars in favour of the victims", notes in an interview with Fides Rashid Rehman Khan, head of Pakistani NGO "Human Rights Commission of Pakistan" (HRCP) in Multan.
Rehman Khan explains to Fides: "There is no clarity on the matter. The area of the kidnapping is guarded by military and security forces. It is incomprehensible how such action could have passed unnoticed. Public opinion suspects the involvement of the Pakistani military and intelligence secret services. WHF only deals with humanitarian aid, so it is unreasonable to call it suspicious. Its removal will harm many poor people".
The HRCP, a leading Pakistani NGO, committed to defending human rights, appeals to the government: "We ask that everything possible is carried out- continues Khan - for the immediate release of the two aid workers, and that the government provides protection, guarantees and legal rights to every citizen. We reiterate that humanitarian workers only do the work of help and are not anti-state elements or conspirators. We believe that this matter affects the image and international credibility of Pakistan". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/01/2012)