Khairpur journalist staged kidnap-for-ransom hoax: police

SUKKUR: A staged kidnapping of journalist Fayyaz Ahmed Solangi for a Rs10 million ransom was exposed when police recovered him from Sindh’s Kashmore district, authorities revealed on Sunday.

"Solangi abduction is fake and managed," said two senior police officers — SSP Kashmore Zubair Nazir Sheikh and SSP Khairpur Touheed Rehman Memon — addressing a joint press conference.

Solangi's snatching stirred widespread concern across the journalist community, resulting in strikes in several cities and extensive media coverage.

A few days ago, a video also went viral on social media and various channels, showing Solangi being tortured by the kidnappers.

Following the directives of Sindh chief minister, home minister, and inspector general of police (IGP), Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sukkur Captain (retd) Faisal Abdullah Chachar formed a team for the operation.

As the investigation advanced, a suspect, Shah Dost, arrested by police in Kashmore, told interrogators he did not kidnap Solangi but held him at the behest of the journalist's uncle, Mazhar.

The kidnapping hoax fell apart when Mazhar broke down in police custody, and conceded they intended to use the police and media coverage to pressure Solangi's cousins amid a dispute over a piece of land.

The police recovered Solangi from the Jamal area of katcha in the Kashmore district. During his interaction with journalists, a remorseful Solangi confessed to staging the abduction in desperation. 

The police have filed a case against five accused, including Solangi for "falsehood and spreading sensationalism".