Hamadur Rehman, a citizen traveling from Islamabad to Thailand for work, has reportedly been abducted, according to a complaint lodged by his family with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday.
The family is seeking assistance from the ministry, claiming that their son is being held near the Myanmar border. Hamad’s father indicated that the abductors have instructed the family to communicate via Telegram.
Myanmar has faced significant unrest since the military coup in 2021, which displaced a democratically elected government and led to widespread armed conflict. The Rohingya community has long suffered persecution in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar, with over 730,000 fleeing the country in 2017 following a military crackdown that the UN described as genocidal.
Hamad’s father has called on the government for “immediate action” to secure his son’s safe release, expressing concerns over the safety of those seeking employment abroad.
He shared that Hamad is being held with other Pakistanis who are reportedly facing daily violence, and that the abductors are demanding a ransom of $50,000.
According to his father, Hamad was kidnapped from the airport. “I urge the government to take immediate action for his son’s release,” he stated.
With an economic downturn and rising inflation, many young Pakistanis are increasingly looking for work and educational opportunities overseas. Reports indicate that over 450,000 Pakistanis emigrated in the first quarter of 2023 alone.
This trend is evident at passport offices and immigration centers, where long lines for passports and visas have become a common sight.
