Tariq Azizuddin

Tariq Azizuddin is Pakistan's ambassador to Turkey. He was ambassador to Afghanistan when he was taken hostage by terrorists from the Tehrik-i-Taliban on Monday February 11, 2008.^[1][2] Tariq was traveling, by road, from his home in Peshawar, to Afghanistan's nearby capital, Kabul. He was taken hostage along with his driver Gul Nawaz and bodyguard Amir Sultan in Pakistan's Khyber Tribal Agency, prior to passing through the border crossing at Towr Kham.[1]

The Taliban released a video to the Arab satellite channel al-Arabiya TV on April 19, 2008.^[3][4]

On May 16, 2008 his brother Tahir Azizuddin announced that Tariq was safe and had been freed. Nawaz and Sultan were also freed.[2] 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 20 million rupee payment was in lieu of his release.

References

1. ^ "Pakistani ambassador goes missing". BBC News. February 11, 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7239555.stm. Retrieved 2008-05-19. 
2. ^ "Pak envoy to Afghanistan goes missing: Believed to have been abducted in Khyber Agency". Pak Tribune. February 12, 2008. http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?197285. Retrieved 2008-05-19. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Afghans free foreign contractors". BBC News. May 18, 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7406948.stm. Retrieved 2008-05-19. 
4. ^ Eric Schmitt, Tim Golden (May 17, 2008). "U.S. plans $60 million Afghan prison on military base". Seattle Times. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004420700_afghanprison17.html. Retrieved 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 on Feb. 11 along with his driver and bodyguard."  mirror
5. ^ "Kidnapped ambassador freed: Taliban claim Mulla Obaidullah, others swapped for Tariq Azizuddin; govt denies deal". Pak Tribune. May 18, 2008. http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?200564. Retrieved 2008-05-19. 
6. ^ ^{a b} Syed Saleem Shahzad (May 20, 2008). "Pakistani militants savor a sweet deal". Asia Times. http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JE20Df01.html. Retrieved 2008-05-20.  mirror
7. ^ "Afghanistan: Pakistani Ambassador Released By Kidnappers". Radio Free Europe. May 17, 2008. http://www.rferl.org/featuresarticle/2008/05/a4adb889-a7d1-4e23-9687-7b4ddd24b8d8.html. Retrieved 2008-05-19.