Tariq Azizuddin
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Tariq Azizuddin is Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan. He was taken hostage by Mujahideen from the Tehrik-i-Taliban on Monday February 11th, 2008.[1][2] Tariq was traveling, by road, from his home in Peshawar, to Afghanistan's neaby capital, Kabul. He was taken hostage in Pakistan's Khyber Tribal Agency, prior to passing through the border crossing at Towr Kham.
The Taliban released a video to the Arab satellite channel al-Arabiya TV on April 19th, 2008.[3][4]
On May 16th, 2008 his brother Tahir Azizuddin announced that Tariq was safe, and had been set free.[4] Pakistani authorities denied that Tariq's release was the culmination of a negotiated deal.[3][5][6][7] Nevertheless the BBC, the Pak Tribune, and the Asia Times all reported there had been a prisoner swap.
The Asia Times article asserted there was a deal -- with Baitullah Mehsud.[6] The Asia Times article stated that 55 militants were released, and that a payment of 20 million Pakistani Rupees was paid. The Asia Times article named Mufti Yousuf and Muslim Dost as two of released militants The Asia Times article reported that Maulana Abdul Aziz was expected to be released soon. The Asia Times article reported that negotiations stalled over the kidnappers demand that Mullah Obaidullah be handed over, and the the 20 million rupee payment was in lieu of his release.
According to the Pak Tribune the Taliban insisted that Mulla Obaidullah had been part of the prisoner swap.[5]
The Asia Times article described the release of some of the low-level militants as tied to the release of members of Tariq's entourage.[6]
[edit] References
- ^ "Pakistani ambassador goes missing", BBC News, February 11, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
- ^ "Pak envoy to Afghanistan goes missing: Believed to have been abducted in Khyber Agency", Pak Tribune, Tuesday February 12, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
- ^ a b "Afghans free foreign contractors", BBC News, Sunday, 18 May 2008. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
- ^ a b Eric Schmitt, Tim Golden. "U.S. plans $60 million Afghan prison on military base", Seattle Times, Saturday, May 17, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-05-17. "The brother of Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan says the envoy has been released, three months after he was kidnapped near the border between the two countries. Tariq Azizuddin disappeared along Feb. 11 along with his driver and bodyguard." mirror
- ^ a b "Kidnapped ambassador freed: Taliban claim Mulla Obaidullah, others swapped for Tariq Azizuddin; govt denies deal", Pak Tribune, Sunday May 18, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
- ^ a b c Syed Saleem Shahzad. "Pakistani militants savor a sweet deal", Asia Times, May 20, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-05-20. mirror
- ^ "Afghanistan: Pakistani Ambassador Released By Kidnappers", Radio Free Europe, Saturday, May 17, 2008. Retrieved on 2008-05-19.
