Amjad Hafeez kidnapped in Iraq released

ISLAMABAD, July 03 (Online): Pakistani captive, Amjad Hafeez, who was taken hostage by unknown militants in Iraq was unconditionally released by his captors.
According to BBC Hafeez went back to Kuwait, where he was doing job before his abduction.

Hafeez captors had given ultimatum of 72 hours on Monday, warning to slay him if their demands were not entertained.

The deadline pa**ed on Wednesday, however lucky Hafeez was released by his captors on Friday.

In a brief chat with his family back home in Rawalpindi Hafeez said that he was safe.

Earlier, Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar Friday said that all possible efforts are being made for the release of Pakistani citizen Amjad Hafeez abducted by armed Iraqi militants.

He stated this in his reply to a letter dispatched by Prime Minister Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan in which he appealed to Pakistan government to play its role for the release of Amjad Hafeez from Iraq.

The foreign secretary, who is on a visit to Jakarta to attend ASEAN Regional Forum, in a written statement, highlighted efforts being made by Pakistani foreign office for the release of Amjad Hafeez.

Riaz Khokhar said he has asked Iftikhar Anjum Pakistani Chargd'affairs in Iraq to meet Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Elavi to play his role for releasing Pakistani citizen.

Pakistani envoy had already held meeting with Iraqi Interior Minister in this regard. He also held meetings with Iraqi religious leaders and appealed to them to make efforts for Hafeez's release.

Foreign Secretary informed that Iraqi chargd' affairs in Islamabad was also summoned to Pakistan Foreign Office to convey him Pakistan government's concerns in this regard. He a**ured Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat that Pakistan government is making all out efforts to ensure the release of Amjad Hafeez .