Another Pakistani driver abducted in Iraq
28 May, 2006
KUWAIT: Yet another Pakistani driver working with the US troops is reportedly to be abducted in Iraq and apprehensions are ripe that he might be killed by the guerrillas. Muhammad Shafiq, resident of Chak Batala 306, Tehsil Gujra, district Tobatek Singh had been associated with a transport company "Mabrad" as a driver in Kuwait for the last two years. A branch of the company, IAP is assisting US troops in Iraq in transportation. Muhammad Shafiq along with a convoy had a trip to Iraq on April 10, 2006. On the way back, their convoy was attacked at Faluja and a tyre of Shafiq’s vehicle got punctured and he was left behind by the convoy. He lifted the windscreens of his vehicle for his protection. The villagers broke the windscreens and kidnapped him. The US troops later informed the company by email about the abduction of Muhammad Shafiq; however, the company turned deaf ear to it. His uncle Bashir Hussain who is in Kuwait also contacted the company but he did not get any satisfactory response. Pakistan’s Ambassador in Kuwait, Muhammad Aslam, directed Secretary Community Welfare, Inam Ghani to take steps for the recovery of the abducted driver. Inam Ghani informed the company through a letter and asked it to find out the whereabouts of Muhammad Shafiq. The company confirmed the abduction of the Pakistani driver; however, his other fellow drivers say that the company had received information about the killing of Muhammad Shafiq. It may be recalled that the Mabrad company is forcing the drivers to work for the US troops in Iraq and stay there otherwise they would be terminated. It merits a mention here that the Pakistani government and Pakistani Embassy in Kuwait has asked the Pakistani citizens time and again to avoid traveling to Iraq keeping in view the deteriorating situation in that country. Earlier several Pakistanis have lost their lives in search of handsome amount.
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