Abducted Pakistan diplomat freed, brother says

updated 3:30 a.m. ET May 17, 2008

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - The brother of Pakistan's ambassador to Afghanistan said Saturday the envoy had been released — three months after he was kidnapped near the border between the two countries.

Tariq Azizuddin disappeared along Feb. 11 along with his driver and bodyguard as they drove from the Pakistani city of Peshawar toward the Afghan border.

On a video aired April 19 on an Arab satellite channel, Azizuddin said Taliban militants had kidnapped them.

But his brother Tahir Azizuddin said Saturday that authorities had informed the family that the ambassador had been released, was in good health, and would likely reach home later in the day.

Tahir Azizuddin said he had no details of how or when authorities secure the envoy's freedom.

MORE FROM SOUTH & CENTRAL ASIA

South & Central Asia Section Front

Suicide blast targets Pakistani police   Afghan officials: U.S. missiles killed civilians One year on, Pakistan marks Red Mosque siege Swords, bombs seized inside Afghan prison Confessed serial killer to marry Indian party supports U.S. nuke deal South & Central Asia Section Front   Add South & Central Asia headlines to your news reader: