MONITORING DESK

KARACHI: Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Joint Director Sajid Gondal, who went missing from Islamabad last week, returned home on Tuesday night, family and police sources told.

Gondal himself also took to Twitter to announce his return, saying: "I am back and safe, and I am thankful to all friends who were worried for me."

Police sources involved in the investigation of his disappearance said the abductors had set him free. A family friend of Gondal also confirmed the news of his release.

He was released near Rawat, a suburb of the federal capital. Upon being freed, he contacted his family members through a phone call and informed them that he was arriving home shortly, the sources added.

The investigation officer of the case will record Gondal's statement on Wednesday (tomorrow).