Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Karachi (Agenzia Fides) - A Pakistani Christian, Symond Andre, kidnapped more than a month ago in Karachi, was found in past days and is free. The man had been kidnapped at the end of February, with a colleague during a raid carried out by a group of extremists in a Christian hospital in Karachi run by a Korean NGO (see Fides 29/02/2012). According to Fides sources in Pakistan, Andre managed to escape, along with another hostage, was transported from the capital of Sindh to another location. Local police hope that thanks to the information which will be possible to obtain, the second hostage may soon be released.
A source of Fides in the army says that "the main purpose of these kidnappings is extortion of money: kidnappings are a way in which terrorists and extremist groups fund themselves." Victims of kidnappings are, first of all, foreigners, businessmen, representatives of NGOs and religious groups from America, Europe, Australia, because terrorists assume that Western governments can pay high ransoms. Secondly, Pakistani Christians are being targeted, given that the kidnappers count on the commitment of Christian churches to free them.
The victims of kidnappings are often humanitarian workers and representatives of NGOs like Giovanni Lo Porto (Italy) and Bernd Johannes (Germany) kidnapped in January in Multan. The two, who worked for the German NGO "Welthungerhilfe", are currently in the hands of the Taliban groups in Pakistan. According to Fides sources in the Pakistani government, about a month ago, "their release seemed imminent," but unfortunately did not take place. The government of Pakistan has repeatedly stated its commitment to combat the scourge of kidnapping, but currently several Kenyan aid workers kidnapped in Sindh and a British Red Cross kidnapped in Quetta remain in the hands of various armed groups. The Taliban, explains the source of Fides, "fear the influence that NGOs can have on the population. To maintain their power, especially on the poorest and most marginalized masses, they tend to discourage and intimidate NGOs." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 12/4/2012)
