By Alamgir Bhittani

TANK: Freelance journalist Asad Qureshi who is in custody of a militant group along with a former official of 1ST, Col Imam, has said that his captors are demanding $10 million and appealed to the Human Rights Watch to help him get freed.

In a video message released to the media on Saturday, Mr. Qureshi said he had been detained by the Asian Tigers group but was not sure about his location. “This is a message for Human Rights Watch.

I am Asad Qureshi being held by the Asian Tigers and (they are) demanding $10 million while my family has no means to raise such amount,” he said.

The little unknown Asian Tigers group kidnapped two former officers of 1ST, Col Imam and Khalid Khwaja, along with Asad Qureshi on March 26.

On April 30, the kidnappers shot dead Khalid Khwaja and his body was found in Mirali town of North Waziristan. Co1 Imam was also in captors’ custody.

The journalist accompanied by ISI’s former officials was reportedly going to North Waziristan to make a documentary about Taliban.

Mr Qureshi said in his message that his captors had given him 10 days to arrange for the money, adding that he had urged them to extend the period to 15 days. “Please help me raise the amount,” he said.
Source: Dawn
Date:5/9/2010