The United Nations said on Saturday it wanted direct contact with the kidnappers of John Solecki, head of the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Quetta, to try to secure his release. Solecki was kidnapped on February 2 in Quetta after gunmen ambushed his car and shot dead his driver.
The kidnappers released a video of the American on Friday to local media in which he asked the UN to help secure his release. Solecki was blindfolded and said he was unwell. The kidnappers said in a hand-written letter with the video it would kill Solecki if the government failed to release its activists from jail within 72 hours.
"The UN remains extremely concerned about John's state of health, and would like to establish direct contact with those who are keeping him," the UN said in a statement. "The United Nations is aware of the demand relayed through the media, and also seeks urgent contact to discuss ways of securing his safe release as soon as possible."