Office of the legal attaché at US embassy in Islamabad has dispatched a memorandum which requests Islamabad to act as mediator between Washington and militants responsible for abducting the US nationals. PHOTO: FILE
US authorities have formally sought the Pakistan government’s aid in negotiating the release of four Americans abducted by elements associated with al Qaeda, the Taliban and the Haqqani Network, The Express Tribune has learnt. The request has been sent in light of the American policy which bars Washington from negotiating with terrorists.
According to sources familiar with the development, the office of the legal attaché at the US embassy in Islamabad has dispatched a memorandum on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to the government of Pakistan, via the Ministry of Interior.
The memorandum requests Islamabad to act as mediator between Washington and the militants responsible for abducting the US nationals in order to secure their freedom, they added.
The sources further informed The Express Tribune that the memorandum reveals those involved in the abductions have been involved in the killings of other US citizens. As such, US authorities are barred from negotiating with the abductors directly.
After receiving the memorandum, the interior ministry has issued a circular among all provincial home departments, police chiefs and law enforcement departments directing them to take all possible steps to recover the US citizens, the sources added.
When contacted, US embassy spokesperson Rian Harris did not deny the development, but declined to offer any comment.
“I am afraid I cannot comment on the ongoing investigations,” she maintained.
The four US citizens – namely Bowe Bergdahl, Dr Warren Weinstein, Caitlan Coleman and Naeem Khan – were kidnapped between 2009 and 2012 in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Bergdahl, a soldier in the US army, went missing on June 30, 2009 near the town of Yahya Khel in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, right next to the border with Pakistan. In July the same year, the Afghan Taliban released a video showing they had captured Bergdahl. Since then, four more videos have been released. The Taliban have demanded $1 billion and the release of 21 Afghan prisoners and Aafia Siddiqui in exchange for his release.
Dr Weinstein was kidnapped in Lahore on August 13, 2011, just 48 hours before ending a four-year foreign assignment and returning home to Washington DC. In videos released subsequently, al Qaeda confirmed they held Weinstein.
The group’s current leader Ayman al Zawahiri has demanded an end to US airstrikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen, and the release of all al Qaeda and Taliban suspects worldwide in exchange for Weinstein’s freedom.
Coleman was kidnapped near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border along with her husband, a Canadian citizen. US authorities suspect al Qaeda to be behind their abduction as well. The couple last contacted their family on October 8, 2012.
Coleman was five-months pregnant at the time of abduction and requires urgent medical attention due to liver ailment, further increasing the need for her release as soon as possible. She was due to give birth sometime in January this year. Her family made a fresh appeal for her safe return on December 31, 2012.
The fourth US national, Naeem Khan, was abducted in Pakistan’s tribal areas on November 3, 2012.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2013.
COMMENTS (11)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
I don't believe that Bergdahl's captors asked for $1 Billion. I think they asked for $1 Million.
They really didn't want to hold him, and thought that $1 Million was reasonable, considering their expenses in feeding and protecting him.
Frankly, they were astounded that the US Government would abandon one of their soldiers. They really expected to make a deal for his release 3 1/2 years ago. Recall that Israel traded 2,000 Palestinian prisoners for Sergeant Gilad Shalit. It doesn't make sense to the captors that the US wouldn't trade a dozen old men for his release, plus one 90-pound woman who was convicted of overpowering 4 200-pound Special Forces soldiers.
President Obama could get Bowe back by simply snapping his fingers, but he doesn't do it.
I'm sick of people saying they support the troops, but who really don't. That goes for Michelle Obama.
Citizens in America who keep themselves in the loop concerning developments in Pakistan know the captives are toast. The Glorious Butchers of Blood know their demands won't be met so they have to contend themselves with slaughtering Hindi, Christian, Shia and Ahmadi [Kafir sectarian monsters too weak to triumph or legislated from Millat-e-Islamia] along with the good Muslims that happen to get in the way. If there were no Americans within a thousand miles of Pakistan the body politic's awrah would still be layed bare, its open sore oozing the black pus of outward piety and appalling corruption. Why is it the Best of People feed like maggots off of the festering wound of perpetual fitnah? But you are blessed because there will always be someone to hate. It succors the unbridled anger of the hopeless wretch that grovels his way to Paradise. Make sure you pick up a mark or two, the obligatory Jihad scars Allah will be looking for come Judgment Day. The Religion of Peace. Sign me up. I'm ready to go right now. The enticing attractions of Dar-al-Islam have lured me in. Can you go over the highlights of eternal booty call at the end of the ladder? No wait, I was mistaken. It's supposed to be all about pleasing Allah. My bad. I think I'll just stick with My Savior Jesus for now. I'm overjoyed. How about you? If you hear of any new developments that might change my mind I'd appreciate a heads up.
@True Blue Bihari: The knock I am referring to is second Abottabad visit !
@ Jahandad: Don't know what you're on bro, but it must be really strong to mess you up that bad. On a more serious note, I hope all these citizens are returned to America safely. There's enough senseless killing out there as it is
@Jahandad Khan: My goodness what a racist comment you have made. I wish there was a report abuse button on this website.
All wires to terrorist in the world are some how pass through Pakistan. Pakistan should not to be proud of such request for assistance as it sheds a light on the nexus between the terrorist in other countries and Pakistan.
@Jahandad Khan: you must be kidding.
Hahahaha..I can see three Hindu terrorists Sitting on this forum already and spitting venom against their most respected neighbor. This is how you can tell Who is a Hindu Terrorist? They are quite visible though they hide FAKE NAMES most of the times to hide their true ID. Hindu is a war Monger and terrorist by birth. Whatever be the reasons, this nation do not understand things without iron hand. Having said that, I can see three Hindu terrorists here are dreaming about some kind of a fantasy that like the Soviet Union lost in Afghanistan, their present Masters in Afghanistan may stay there forever. This is where Hindus are mostly wrong. They must start realizing that Afghans will be awaiting them once their Masters leave. And History tells us that they had not been very friendly with Hindu which is evident from the name they have given to the mountain range on the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan called, " Hindu Kush" means " that who kills Hindu". I am afraid after Hindu's Masters Leave, those Afghans will be knocking on Hindu Regime's Hindu Terrorists which are sitting and operating from the various Hindu consulates in Afghanistan on the Borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan. " Hindu ki Baansuri Bajne ka Waqt aa Gaya Afghanistan Mein".
@ john,
Us is already knocking at the door with drones...
Sooner or later US will knock on the door.
And yes, the Americans want the heads attached and in working order.