QUETTA:
Prominent political and tribal leader from Balochistan’s Harnai district, Malik Shingal Khan Tareen, also locally known as Malik Sher Gul Tareen, has been confirmed dead 15 days after his abduction, family sources said.
His body was recovered from the mountainous Zarghoon Ghar area, triggering widespread grief and anger across the region.
The incident occurred on May 21, when unidentified armed men abducted Tareen near the Mangi area on the Harnai-Quetta Road in Ziarat district while he was travelling for routine work.
The abductors also took along SHO Masood Ahmad Khan Panizai of Mangi Police Station, Constable Ashraf Khan, and Constable Javed Panizai. The three police personnel were released from the Zarghoon Ghar area on June 3 and safely returned to their homes.
Family members, including Tareen’s brother Ubaid Tareen and Manzoor Ahmad Tareen, confirmed his death through social media and local media outlets.
A resident of the Nakas area, Malik Shingal Khan Tareen served as district general secretary of the Pakistan Peoples Party in Harnai and was widely recognised as an active political worker and influential tribal elder.
Expressing deep sorrow over his killing, local PPP leaders, including Harnai chapter president Muhammad Yaseen Tareen, condemned the incident. Provincial ministers, political parties, and tribal elders described the abduction and killing as an act of terrorism and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible.
“Our brother was a simple, hardworking and people-friendly person who always worked for peace and development in the area,” a family member said. “His abduction and killing is a tragedy not only for our family but for the entire Harnai district.”
Condolence gatherings have begun across the region, while a large number of people attended his funeral prayers and burial, paying tribute to his services.
The incident has once again highlighted the deteriorating security situation in Balochistan. Residents have expressed concern over the occurrence of such a major incident in the sensitive Mangi area despite the presence of security forces.
No official progress has yet been announced regarding the identification or arrest of the abductors. The government of Balochistan and the leadership of the PPP are being urged to ensure justice and implement effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
