Chinese Engineers Abduction!
By the Editor

AS latest information speaks of, an amiable process has been set in motion—through dialogue—for quick recovery of the Chinese engineers, who were abducted by a bunch of al-Qaeda linked militants on Saturday last.

The two engineers were working at the Gomal Zam Dam project, when they were picked-up from Taank, vicinity adjoining the South Waziristan Agency. It’s a matter of satisfaction that negotiations are underway for release of the Chinese engineers, who are reported to be with tribal elders in South Waziristan Agency now.

The crime of kidnapping is obviously unforgivable, but the kidnapping of Chinese engineers deserves outright censure—as they were engaged in implementing a project—of-course for the well-being of Pakistani people.

Above all, China is a great and tested friend of Pakistan and their friendship has proven to be enduring and long lasting. It has withstood the vagaries of regional and international weather. And the friendship between the two countries has—always been much loftier the mighty peaks of Himalaya or Mount Everest and much-more deeper than the depth of the Pacific Ocean.

The kidnappers have, therefore, committed not only a heinous act of crime by resorting to seizure of the two great friends, but have also attempted to undermine Sino-Pakistan relations by kidnapping the Chinese engineers.

The episode has also cast aspersion on the traditional tribal hospitality, as the Chinese engineers working on the Gomal Zam project were—by all perceptions, their guests and deserved to be treated with friendliness and hospitality.

It’s, however, hoped that the negotiations between the captors and the Pakistani authorities will be fruitful and will lead to their release—at-once. Some reports suggest that two of the three kidnappers were foreigners, which manifests the reality to Pakistan’s standpoint that—foreign militants are indulging in terrorist acts to harm our loveliest country.

It’s understood that Pakistan has offered amnesty to the fugitive militants and—even offered them to continue to live in the Tribal Areas after registering themselves with the political authorities with guarantee of good demeanor and conduct. If these species do not avail the gesture of benevolence, Pakistan is obviously well within its right to tell the militants to surrender, leave its soil—or face decimation.

Nevertheless, it is regrettable that despite the offer of a unilateral cease-fire by the miscreants, they have repeatedly indulged in its violation.  The kidnapping on October-9, of the two Chinese Engineers working on the Gomal Zam Dam for the uplift of the South Waziristan Agency is no-doubt, a case in point.

This reckless anti-Pakistan act speaks of the actual designs of the elements of al-Qaeda’s aficionado, Abdullah Mehsood. Though he quickly disassociated himself publicly from the Kidnapping, ostensibly to avoid losing face with the Mehsoods and the risk of being termed as the initiator of hostilities, the emissary sent to the kidnappers on the morning of October-10, overtly belongs to his Group.

Lamentable as this irresponsible act is, it speaks of the evil designs of these elements to sabotage the Pakistan-China relations and undermine the development of their own area and—their own people.

It is ironic that the Ulema, dwelling on these soils also do not denounce such anti Pakistan activities in strong, unambiguous and unequivocal terms. It’s, however, condemnable that they have opted—to pursue the path of confrontation with Pakistan—while living on its soil. No government worth the name can tolerate such a situation and has full right and authority to get its writ established—one way or the other, whatever it deems apt and apposite.

Thus, there ought to be no mix-up or misunderstanding to the effect that they [the militants] will have to surrender or perish—because Pakistan is not going to let them indulge in negative pursuits such as kidnappings and terrorism under any circumstances—whatsoever and any mode, manner or way or style.

We feel optimistic that sanity shall instantly prevail upon the captors of the Chinese engineers, and both of them will be freed at-once, in the best interest of the nation in broad-spectrum and the kidnapers—in meticulous.

Simultaneously, we salute the reaction from Beijing, wherein a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Office has lauded Pakistan’s sincerest efforts for the quick release of the Chinese hostages and has made a fabulous offer of a joint strategy—to overcome this occurrence.

This manifests China’s trust in Pakistan—as a grand and grandiose friend—we are ought to feel proud of. We assure China that the caged engineers shall—get back to their splendid task, expectantly in a day or two—with the same vibrant vigor and dynamism, they were engaged in their gigantic task.●