Miranshah/Rawalpindi: A grand jirga will be convened today (Sunday) to secure the release of kidnapped former ISI official Colonel Imam and British journalist Asad Qureshi.

The jirga will take a decision about expelling the kidnappers if they refuse to release their captives. The kidnappers, calling themselves Asian Tigers, a little known militant outfit, had earlier expressed their willingness to release the captives, the Online news agency said.

They had handed over the pair to the militants allied with the Haqqani group. However, they changed their mind subsequently and now want to swap the pair with 160 of their comrades currently in Pakistani jails.

Tribal elders from the North Waziristan tribal region, including militants linked with Maulvi Nazir and Qaii Gui Bahadar groups, have also mounted pressure on the abductors to immediately release the captives. However, the abductors refuse to relent.

Officials said that some foreign elements were supporting the kidnappers. They said that Afghan Taliban’s elusive leader Mullah Omar has also a sent a message from Afghanistan asking for their release.
Source: The Express Tribune
Date:5/16/2010