Below is an article published by the Asian Tribune:

UN suspends relief operations in Balochistan due to security reasons

The United Nations has suspended all its relief operations in Balochistan due to security reasons.

According to sources United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has suspended its activities in 10 Afghan refugee camps across Balochistan. The operations suspended include provision of health, education and sanitation facilities to the Afghan refugees living in these camps.

UNHCR also stopped its relief activities in the earthquake stricken districts of Ziarat and Pishin since the abduction of John Solecki, head of UNCHR sub-office in Balochistan. The staff working in the affected areas was withdrawn due to security reasons.

Due to security reasons UNHCR failed to resume voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees from Quetta on Wednesday [1 April 2009], whereas the same was started from Peshawar.

The UN officials said that the date of repatriation of Afghan refugees from Balochistan would be announced later. Security has also been tightened around UN offices in Chaman Housing Scheme and other areas deploying more contingents of security forces.

Since the kidnapping of UNHCR sub office Chief John Solecki on February 2nd [2009], most of the foreign staff of different UN organizations engaged in different relief activities has shifted to Islamabad from Quetta.

It is to be mentioned here that a shadowy terrorist organization Baloch Liberation United Front (BLUF) that has claimed kidnapping Solecki had issued deadline last month [March 2009] for acceptance of their demands in exchange for kidnapped UN official.

The organization threatened to kill Solecki if their demands were not met in the given time.

The Balochistan National Party has condemned the kidnapping of Mr. Solecki on several occasions. To see the press release issued by Mr. Noordin Mengal, please visit the appeal on the website of UNPO.