Norwegian kidnapped from coastal highway

By: Shafi Baloch | Published: August 10, 2009

KARACHI - A Norway national went missing when he was on way to Karachi from Balochistan on August 7. Norway Foreign Ministry said that it had taken strict notice of the matter and it will soon contact the Government of Pakistan, The Nation has learnt on Sunday.

Ehsan Arjmandi (38) having dual nationality of Pakistan and Norway is a political activist in Norway. He reached Pakistan a couple of weeks back to visit his family members settled in Turbat and Mand district of Balochistan.

After meeting with his family members in Mand, he left for Karachi on August 7 by an intercity bus titled ‘Aslam Dandahi Coach’. When the bus reached Zero point Coastal Highway near Uttal check post, about 12km away from the Uttal city, some unidentified vehicles intercepted the bus, armed men people got into the bus and took out Ehsan from the bus and covered his head with a black blanket and took him away.

Some of his relatives, while quoting the eyewitness, told The Nation that more than twenty vehicles having resemblance with intelligence agencies vehicles took Ehsan with them. His family members have claimed that Ehsan was taken away by the intelligence agencies.

Ehsan had come in Pakistan after a long time. He is said to be a heart patient and also suffering from asthma and several other diseases, while he was under regular medical treatment on daily basis. His life is in danger as he was taking regular dozes of medicines. If medication is not provided to him, he could not survive during detention, his relatives said.

http://www.nation.com.pk