Gwadar University officials return home after 10-day disappearance

The vice chancellor and pro-vice chancellor of the University of Gwadar, along with a university staff member and their driver, have returned home safely nearly 10 days after they were reported missing while travelling in Balochistan.

According to police sources in Mastung, the group, Vice Chancellor Dr Abdul Razzaq Sabir, Pro-Vice Chancellor Syed Manzoor Ahmed, staff officer Irshad Ahmed, and driver Hatim Ali, were recovered from the Kardgap area of Mastung district. Officials later confirmed that all four had reached their residences unharmed.

As per Dawn, a spokesperson from the Balochistan Home Department also confirmed their safe return, stating that they had been reunited with their families. Relatives of the university officials also verified that the individuals were back home and in stable condition.

The group had gone missing on May 13 while travelling from Gwadar to Quetta. Their disappearance was reported after their mobile phones were switched off and repeated attempts to contact them failed. Law enforcement agencies had initially suspected that they may have been abducted during the journey.

Following the incident, security forces launched an intelligence-based search operation across multiple areas in Balochistan. Several suspected locations were raided in an effort to trace the missing individuals and ensure their safe recovery.

Authorities did not immediately provide details about the circumstances under which the officials were found or who was responsible for their disappearance. However, officials confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact sequence of events leading to their recovery.

While the recovery has brought relief to their families and colleagues, officials say further inquiries will focus on establishing whether the incident was a targeted abduction and identifying those involved. Security agencies continue to review intelligence gathered during the operation.