By DPA,
Kabul : Afghan foreign ministry said Tuesday it was sending a team to Islamabad to work with Pakistani officials to secure the release of its diplomat, who was kidnapped Monday by unknown gunmen in northwest Pakistan.
“A delegation from the foreign ministry is on its way to Islamabad to work closely with Pakistani officials,” the ministry said in a statement.
Afghan designated ambassador to Pakistan, Abdul Khaleq Farahi, was dragged out of his car in Hayatabad locality of the provincial capital Peshawar Monday by unidentified gunmen and taken to an unknown location.
The men fatally shot Farahi’s driver after they left his office and were heading home.
On Monday night the Afghan foreign ministry summoned Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan and expressed its concerns over the safety of the kidnapped diplomat, the statement said.
The Afghan government asked the Pakistani official “to take all necessary measures for his immediate and safe release” the statement added.
Farahi was performing duties as Afghan consul general in Peshawar and was designated as ambassador a month ago. His designation had yet to be approved by the Pakistani foreign ministry.
No group has claimed responsibility for Farahi’s abduction. Taliban militants are active in tribal areas along the Pakistan-Afghan border.
Pakistan envoy to Afghanistan, Tariq Azizuddin, his driver and bodyguard were abducted while traveling to Kabul on Feb 11.
Azizuddin was released by Islamic militants reportedly in exchange for several Taliban fighters.