QUETTA: Authorities on Sunday discovered the bodies of Ziarat Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Afzal and his young son, nearly two months after they were abducted by unidentified armed men in the Zerzari area of Ziarat district, according to official sources.
Earlier this month, a distressing video had circulated in which the civil servant and his son pleaded for their release and appealed for the captors’ demands to be accepted. Despite this, no group has claimed responsibility for the killings.
Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti condemned the tragedy, denouncing it as a “cowardly and inhumane act.” He vowed that those responsible would face justice, stressing that the government would leave no stone unturned in pursuing the perpetrators. Expressing solidarity with the grieving family, he pledged that every available resource would be deployed to hold the criminals accountable.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in a separate statement, said the killers would meet a grim fate. He praised Assistant Commissioner Afzal as a “dedicated, hardworking, and capable officer who will always remain in our hearts.” Naqvi further said, “The martyred officer achieved the highest honor of martyrdom while carrying out his duty,” extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
Analysts say the tragedy highlights the enduring security challenges in Balochistan, where kidnappings and targeted attacks continue to pose threats to both officials and civilians.
Ziarat—best known for its picturesque juniper forests—has largely remained peaceful, though sporadic militant activity has been reported in the district over the past decade.
