Report: Deal To Release Militants In Exchange For Kidnapped Pakistani Diplomat

Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan Tariq Azizuddin is likely to be released by the Taliban in the next few days following successful negotiations, according to a report in the Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Khabrain. The diplomat and his two guards went missing last February in Pakistan’s tribal district of Khyber Agency while on their way to Kabul.

According to the report, the Pakistani government has held talks with the kidnappers through militant Islamist leader Sufi Muhammad, who was released from a prison in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province following an undeclared deal a few days ago.

According to the report, ‘‘The talks included the demands made by the kidnappers. The Taliban have made some changes in their demands, and have demanded the release of some of their leaders [now in Pakistani jails].’’

The report quoted unnamed sources as saying: ‘‘The kidnappers have added five more names to their list; they belong to local [Pakistani] Taliban and the government has agreed to release them...The talks have concluded. It is hoped that Tariq Azizuddin will be released in the next few days.’’

Source: Roznama Khabrain, Pakistan, April 24, 2008

For More On This Subject, See The Following Posts Published Previously On The MEMRI Urdu-Pashtu Media Blog;

Website of Pakistan’s Geo TV: Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan Goes Missing, February 11, 2008.

Taleban in Afghanistan Set Terms: Pakistan Must Hand Over Mullah Mansoor Dadullah in Exchange for the Release of Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan, February 12, 2008.

Emerging Crisis in Pakistan-U.S. Relations, Inquiry and Analysis Series - No. 449 - Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - June 20, 2008

Indian Clerics Conference Issues World's First Anti-Terror Fatwa, Special Dispatch Series - No. 1959 - Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - June 13, 2008

Editorial in Pakistan Right-Wing Urdu Daily Blames U.S., Afghanistan, India for Terrorism in Pakistan, Special Dispatch Series - No. 1881 - Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - March 28, 2008

Pakistani Taliban Emir Beitullah Mahsoud: Pakistan Should Use Its Nuclear Weapons to Challenge the Enemies; Only 5% of Fighters in Afghanistan Are Ours; "We Take Pride in Being Enemies of the Jews and Christians", Special Dispatch Series - No. 1941 - Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - May 27, 2008

Pakistan Takes Steps Towards Shari'a State In Seven Districts , Special Dispatch Series - No. 1933 - Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - May 16, 2008

Pakistani Columnist: Islam is NATO's Big Adversary After Cold War, Special Dispatch Series - No. 1932 - Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - May 16, 2008

Pakistan-Based Militant Group Lashkar-e-Islam Vows 'To Spread Islam Across the World', Special Dispatch Series - No. 1906 - Urdu-Pashtu Media Project - April 23, 2008

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