Rediff

Kabul, May 17: Pakistan's envoy to Afghanistan Tariq Azizuddin, who was kidnapped by militants three months ago, has been freed after secret parleys between the government and local Taliban leaders.

Azizuddin has been released and is expected to return home soon, local news channels today quoted official sources as saying.

The ambassador, his driver and a guard were kidnapped on February 11 while he was on his way to the Afghan capital Kabul from his home in Peshawar via the restive Khyber Agency in the northwest Pakistan.

Azizuddin's release came days after Pakistani authorities and the Taliban swapped prisoners following peace parleys initiated by the new federal government led by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Eighteen Taliban cadres have been freed in exchange for about 55 security personnel, who were being held captive by militants in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.

Azizuddin was freed by his abductors after secret parleys between the government and local Taliban leaders, media reports said.

Last month, an Arabic TV channel had aired a video in which Azizuddin asked Pakistan government to meet the demands of his abductors, including release of some Taliban cadres.

There were also reports that Azizuddin's kidnappers had sought the release of 12 prisoners, including suspects in former premier Benazir Bhutto's assassination, in exchange for the envoy. It was not immediately known if the government had freed any one in exchange for Azizuddin.