Haris Javed, a student at the Iqra University who was kidnapped on February 16, was set alight and thrown out of a moving vehicle earlier today in Akhtar colony of the metropolitan.
He was rescued by the passersby, who rushed him to Civil Hospital, where he is now recovering from his burn injuries.
A note accompanying Javed's burning body warned that if "the operation" did not end, other students would also be kidnapped and burnt in the same manner.
"He was kidnapped four days ago but we are still investigating details surrounding his abduction," senior police official Manzoor Mughal said.
He confirmed that a threatening letter was also recovered from the victim's pocket, warning of similar actions if the 'military operation' did not end.
"A rickshaw driver has come forward to tell us that he had given the victim and a girl a ride on that day but didn't see any abduction," the officer said.