Ambassador Tariq Azizuddin says being held by Taliban: Al Arabiya TV

[HAIDER]

DUBAI, April 19 (AFP): Pakistan's envoy to Afghanistan Tariq Azizuddin, who went missing in February, appeared Saturday in a video aired by Al-Arabiya news channel in which he said he was being held by the Taliban. “We were on our way to Afghanistan in our official car on February 11 when we were kidnapped in the region of Khyber... by the Mujahedeen of the Taliban,” said Azizuddin, according to an Arabic translation accompanying the video aired by the Dubai-based channel. Azizuddin said he was held with his driver and bodyguard, and that they were living “in comfortable conditions and are looked after.” Two men who appeared to be the other hostages sat next to Azizuddin, while three gunmen stood in the background. Azizuddin called upon the government of Pakistan and Pakistan's envoys in Iran and China to “to do all they can to protect our lives and to answer all the demands of the Mujahedeen of Taliban in order to secure our release.” (First Posted @ 14:40 PST, Updated @ 14:55 PST)
- DAWN - Latest Stories; April 19, 2008

 

[Imran Khan]

but if pak accept the first this demand next time more then this better we track him and take action aganst tarerrsts

 

[mujahideen]

^^^^We want an unconditional hand over. This will not help the cause of the militants.

 

[HAIDER]

 

[araz]

^^^^We want an unconditional hand over. This will not help the cause of the militants.

Mujahideen
Only in the press do we want an unconditional hand over. Behind the scene we are negotiating hard to see any way out of the situation.We have become a spineless nation of liers and cheats who cannot bear to admit our own weaknesses. So we will give and take and sort things out through this or that Jirga/other means, but will never solve the eternal problem of safety and sovereignty of our nation and its inhabitants. By the way why was this smart alec travelling via the land route insuch turbulent times?
WaSalam
Araz

 

[MastanKhan]

Hi,

It was reported that the ambassador decided to drive towards the border with no extra security---this report came out at the time of his original disappearance.

 

[Xeric]

this thing sucks....i m nt sure whts going to happen to him..i pray for him n his 2 buddies....
this shows the hatered of talibans towards pak...and if mastnakhan is right it may also b pre planned...

 

[MastanKhan]

Hi,

These incidences are designed to throw a monkey wrench into the system. It takes away the strong position that the govt had developed and has to deal from a weaker stance. I heard in the news that the additional security was provided but the ambassador refused it and travelled on his own.

As I have stated many a times---security is a serious issue---if you are working for the state then you must follow the orders---the state must pass out an directive to all its employees that it is not their choice to refuse security at their discretion---govt bosses maynot be incharge of deciding to accept or reject security---let the security personale do their jobs---they are there for a reason and that reason is to protect the states assets which happens to be you---the government servant.

People need to realize and understand that crime happens because an oppurtunity is presented and a criminal is a great oppurtunist. These incidences tie down the hands of the govt, the criminals know about it, the govt officials must also learn and recognize this menace.

 

[Xeric]

Hi,

These incidences are designed to throw a monkey wrench into the system. It takes away the strong position that the govt had developed and has to deal from a weaker stance. I heard in the news that the additional security was provided but the ambassador refused it and travelled on his own.

As I have stated many a times---security is a serious issue---if you are working for the state then you must follow the orders---the state must pass out an directive to all its employees that it is not their choice to refuse security at their discretion---govt bosses maynot be incharge of deciding to accept or reject security---let the security personale do their jobs---they are there for a reason and that reason is to protect the states assets which happens to be you---the government servant.

People need to realize and understand that crime happens because an oppurtunity is presented and a criminal is a great oppurtunist. These incidences tie down the hands of the govt, the criminals know about it, the govt officials must also learn and recognize this menace.

well saidmy friend..u r right tht its not "bahaduri" to reject security.now look wht turmoil this is causing our country....we r in a dead lock....espacially when u r dealing n going inside sensitive area u shud b more than vigilant...but the case is oppiste here