ISLAMABAD: The kidnappers of Pakistani envoy to Afghanistan, Tariq Azizuddin have demanded release of 12 prisoners, including suspects in former premier Benazir Bhutto's assassination, in exchange for his freedom.
The kidnappers wanted release of Lal Masjid cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz, Tehreek-e-Nifaaz-e-Shariat Muhammadi chief Maulana Sufi, five Afghan Taliban and three men arrested on charges of allegedly plotting Benazir Bhutto's assassination - Aitzaz Shah, Hussnain and Rafaqat, according to a BBC report.
The militants are holding Azizuddin, Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan, his driver and bodyguard since February 11. The Al Arabiya TV channel aired a video of the envoy two days ago that showed Azizuddin asking the Pakistan government to meet the demands of his abductors, including the release of some Taliban militants. Those demanded by the kidnappers in exchange for the release of the envoy are all linked to militant commander Baitullah Mehsud.
Maulvi Umar, spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, told the BBC that the organization had no involvement in the kidnapping of Azizuddin and that they had no knowledge about his whereabouts. A tribal leader also said that he could not confirm whether the kidnapped ambassador had ever been kept in any tribal area of Pakistan or Afghanistan. He said that they had no information on the identity of the abductors either.
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