Pakistani youths being abducted for ransom in Thailand

ISLAMABAD:  Pakistani youths travelling to Thailand are reportedly being abducted by criminal gangs and taken across the border to Myanmar, where their families are contacted for ransom demands.

Mansoor Ali Khan, anchor at HUM news, revealed this alarming situation in his Vlog after being contacted by Chaudhry Amjad, a distressed father, whose son was among those kidnapped.

According to Chaudhry Amjad, the abductions take place shortly after the boys, aged between 20 to 25, land in Bangkok.

As they exit the airport, large gangs of kidnappers are reportedly waiting to capture them and are taken across the border to Myanmar. The families are than contacted and a hefty amount of ransom is demanded for their return.

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Chaudhry Amjad’s son, who was also abducted by one of these gangs, called his father and informed that the kidnappers were demanding a ransom of $50,000 for his release.

“Not only my son but 8 to 10 other Pakistani youths have also been abducted in Thailand,” Chaudhry Amjad said, adding that the kidnappers are subjecting the boys to physical torture to pressure their families.

Chaudhry Amjad has expressed deep frustration over the lack of assistance from the Pakistani Embassy in Thailand. He said that despite reaching out for help they have stopped taking his phone calls. He has urged the Pakistani government to look into this matter and help the distressed boys and their families.

Earlier families of six Pakistanis abducted from Thailand and taken into Myanmar by job scammers had also sought help from the governments, foreign ministeries and diplomatic channels for the release of their sons. The matter was first raised with Pakistani and Thai officials more than two months ago but unfortunately, no response has been seen from any side so far.