Police suspect that Advocate Awais Ali Shah, kidnapped son of Sindh High Court Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, will be used as a ‘bargaining chip’ to ensure release of some captured militants.

"So far it is kidnapping, and my professional assessment is that it is not for ransom," Sindh police chief Allah Dino Khawaja told Reuters.

Security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media, said they suspected the kidnappers would offer to free Shah in return for the release of captured militants.

The Rangers arrested 11 suspects "in connection with the kidnapping" during search operations in Orangi, Gaddap, Liaquatabad, Keamari, Korangi, Clifton and Jamshed Town, a Rangers press release said.

The Rangers have announced a reward of Rs2,500,000 for credible information regarding the whereabouts of Awais Ali Shah. The paramilitary force can be contacted via helpline 1101, WhatsApp at 0316-2369996 and email at rangers.madadgar@gmail.com.

A special investigation team has also been constituted to probe the abduction of Shah.

The eight-member team, headed by Deputy Inspector General Crime Investigation Agency Sultaan Ali Khowaja has been constituted to "ensure concrete efforts are made to recover the kidnappee and arrest the accused persons".

The team is to submit a daily progress report, said an AIG order released on Tuesday.

However, no First-Information Report of the incident has been registered against the abductors as yet.