Advertisement ::

Enlarge Cartoon

Updated 15:45  Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – John Solecki, who heads the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) regional office in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan Province in Pakistan, was abducted early Monday on his way to work, and his driver, Sayed Hashim, was killed in an ambush. Hashim had worked for the UNHCR for 18 years.

Solecki has been in the post for two years, reports the International Herald Tribune, which also says he is American, but a UNHCR spokeswoman in Islamabad and the office in Geneva refused to confirm any personal details about Solecki, noting the sensitive nature of the situation.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres said in a statement from Geneva Monday afternoon Swiss time, ““UNHCR’s mission in more than 110 countries around the world, including in Pakistan, is aimed solely at easing the plight of refugees, displaced people and innocent civilians in a totally impartial and humanitarian manner,” he added. “The targeting of those who help the world’s most vulnerable people leaves all of us deeply shocked and saddened.”

The UNHCR and UN joint statement Monday morning Swiss time: “The United Nations in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan hereby conveys the extreme shock and dismay felt by the whole UN community at the death of Mr Syed Hashim, driver of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and the abduction of Mr John Solecki, Head of the UNHCR Office in Quetta.

“We strongly condemn this attack on humanitarian workers in Pakistan who have been doing their utmost to deliver their humanitarian mission.

“The families of both staff members have been contacted to convey our deepest sympathy to the family of Syed Hashim and to express our concern and solidarity with Mr. Solecki’s family. The United Nations is now taking all possible measures to secure his release.”