The government of Pakistan expresses its deep appreciation to the government and people of Nigeria for their assistance in securing the safe release of Pakistani citizen Dr. Abuzar Muhammad Afzal, who was kidnapped in Nigeria on March 28 along with scores of other people. Afzal was safely recovered on Sunday after being held in captivity for over three months.
In a Video message Dr. Abuzar Muhammad Afzal said; I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the governments of Pakistan and Nigeria, the negotiator, my employer, and everyone else who contributed to securing my release.
I was among scores of passengers taken hostage in an attack on Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28, 2022. I am the only foreigner among the seven hostages who were freed last night, and the 13 hostages who were released a month ago.
Dr. Abuzar has already arrived in Abuja and been provided with emergency travel documents by the Pakistan high commission. He will be reunited with his family and loved ones in Multan on Sunday night, coinciding with the happy occasion of Eid-ul-Adha.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that We are grateful to the Nigerian government for their leadership in securing the release of Dr. Abuzar. We applaud the coordination between the country’s political and military leadership, as well as between the foreign ministries and the high commissions.
In a tweet, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that he was “highly relieved by the safe release of Pakistani national Abuzar M. Afzal, kidnapped in Nigeria since March.”
He thanked the leadership, government and people of Nigeria for all their help, besides commending the efforts of everyone in Pakistan who worked tirelessly to ensure this outcome
