PESHAWAR: The Pakistani Taliban on Saturday freed a worker of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), who was kidnapped among more than a dozen others this month in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, and handed over body of another employee who had died in captivity, police said.
The Pakistani Taliban, which have recently stepped up attacks in Pakistan’s restive northwest, had kidnapped more than a dozen workers of the sensitive government agency, responsible for nuclear energy projects, from the volatile Lakki Marwat district on Jan. 9.
Eight of them were later released through joint efforts by tribal elders and amid a search operation conducted by police and security forces in the dense forest area where the militants had reportedly taken the kidnapped employees.
While the Pakistani government had not issued a statement on the incident, Shahid Marwat, the Lakki Marwat police spokesperson, had confirmed that a group of nearly 18 “civilians” working on “atomic and mining projects” had been kidnapped by armed gunmen.
“Following hectic efforts by local administration and [tribal] elders, one of the abductees has been set free, while they [kidnappers] have handed over dead body of another abductee to the elders,” Marwat told Arab News on Saturday.
“Eight employees are still in kidnappers’ captivity.”
There was no immediate confirmation of the development by the Pakistani government or the PAEC, but the Pakistani Taliban said they released the worker as a “goodwill gesture.”
“An atomic energy commission official was released as a goodwill gesture at the request of tribal elders,” they said in a statement.
Marwat said it wasn’t immediately clear how one of the abductees had died in captivity.
“His dead body is in hospital for postmortem to know if he was killed by the kidnappers or he had died of natural causes,” he told Arab News.
Earlier this month, the militants released a video of the abductees, in which a man was seen reading out the demands laid by the kidnappers, requesting the government to “immediately” accept them.
The demands included the release of militants arrested in Lakki Marwat, the release of families of militants allegedly in government custody, a commitment not to demolish the homes of militants and their relatives in the future, and compensation for the homes already demolished in the region.
Lakki Marwat is situated on the edge of Pakistan’s northwestern tribal districts bordering Afghanistan, where the TTP has frequently targeted security force convoys and check-posts, in addition to engaging in targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Islamic Minister Sheikh Abdullatif Al-Asheikh inaugurated the third Khair Ummah conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Bangkok on Saturday.

The event was attended by Thai National Assembly President Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, along with several ministers, muftis, and leaders of Islamic universities, centers, and associations.

Al-Asheikh emphasized that the conference aimed to strengthen Islamic unity and adherence to the truth, promoting solidarity that upholds Islamic identity, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

He said that scholars bear a significant responsibility in light of global challenges and the intellectual, political, social, and security changes facing the world.

“This situation calls for a real response from scholars and researchers to clarify the right religious stance against sedition and to reinforce the core principles of the Islamic faith,” Al-Asheikh said.

He added that the responsibility of scholars and preachers is growing due to global calls for intellectual and ideological deviation, requiring careful reflection to realign efforts, uphold Shariah, safeguard the Prophet’s Sunnah, promote Islamic values, and combat extremism.

Al-Asheikh reaffirmed that under its leadership, the Kingdom has diligently fulfilled its responsibility toward the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites.

“Saudi Arabia is committed to serving pilgrims, visitors, and Umrah performers by implementing substantial projects that enhance their experience and facilitate their rituals. The Kingdom is also dedicated to printing and distributing the Holy Qur’an in multiple languages worldwide,” he said.

Several participants delivered speeches thanking Saudi Arabia for its service to Islam and Muslims, emphasizing the importance of promoting tolerance, combating violence and extremism, and fostering cooperation among Muslims.

Meanwhile, the Central Islamic Council of Thailand awarded Al-Asheikh the First-Class Medal for Influential Global Islamic Personality of 2024. The medal was presented by Bangkok Islamic Affairs Committee President Arun Boonchom.

The award recognized Al-Asheikh’s distinguished contributions to serving Islam, promoting moderation and tolerance, and combating hate speech and extremism, SPA reported.

Al-Asheikh expressed his gratitude to the Sheikhul Islam of Thailand for his efforts in spreading noble Islamic values and fostering a culture of coexistence.