ISLAMABAD: The family of the 10-yearold-girl, abducted and murdered in the capital last month, was allegedly taken away by the capital police on Thursday to prevent them from holding a press conference.

Parishta went missing from outside her home in Alipur on May 15. Four days later, her decomposed body was recovered from Tamma village.A man booked the National Press Club for a press conference on June 27 and the club administration invited mediapersons to cover the event.

The invitation by the press club said the family of the girl along with their counsel would hold a news conference at 3pm about the abduction and murder case.

However, later the man called the press club and cancelled the news conference.

When contacted by Dawn, the man introduced himself as Nadeem Khan, a native of Mohmand Agency.

`On the request of the girl`s family I had booked the press club for a news conference.

The f amily and I hail from Mohmand Agency and we know each other.

He said the news conference was scheduled in the af ternoon but of ficials of the capital police reached the house of the familyand took away the deceased girl`s parents and a brother to prevent them from speaking to the media.

`As they did not return till the afternoon, I cancelled the press conference,` he said, adding that the f amily was still in police custody and their mobile phones were switched off.

Replying to a question, Mr Khan said the family had reservations about the investigation of the abduction and murder case. The investigators told the family that there was no evidence found or available to establish the allegations against any suspect, he added.

Besides, reports of medical tests, including DNA, were negative, Mr Khan said, adding the recently arrested suspect had been sent to jail on judicial remand and so far challan against him has not been submittedto court.

He said the family had doubts and reservations about the investigation.

`They did not know who abducted and murdered Parishta. The police had claimed that the arrested man was the culprit.

Government officials had reached an agreement with the family when the latter held a protest after the murder, promising strict action against police of ficials for delaying registration of the case when the girl went missing. So far a case has been registered against only two police officials but action is yet to be taken against anyone, he added.

Despite repeated attempts, police spokesman Khalid Awan could not be contacted for his comments.

The inspector general of the police (IGP) was also not approachable.Other officials in the police public relations office were also contacted but they refused to speak on record.

However, two senior police officers told Dawn: `If you want to talk to the girl`s f ather, we can put him on the line.

They added: `Check and verify the relation and status of the man who booked the press club for a press conference and dig out his motive too.

An official at the Shahzad Town police said they had not picked the family while the CIA also expressed ignorance about the matter.

The investigators conducted a polygraph on the suspect and collected samples for his DNA test, an of ficer said.

He said the police had met the family to brief them about the progress on the investigation.