According to ANP sources on Saturday that the provincial government had sought the federal government’s help to secure release of Ajmal Khan. The federal government contacted the KP governor and directed him to take steps for safe release of Ajmal Khan from the Taliban’s custody, they added.
After the federal government directives, sources said, the ANP-led provincial government fully authorised the governor to hold talks with the Taliban.
Taliban had kidnapped Ajmal and his driver, Muhibullah, on September 7 and had reportedly said the release might take some time as the government was considering their demands. They claimed that they had informed the government and relatives of
the vice chancellor about their demands.
A senior commander of Hakimullah Mahsud-led TTP some ten days ago told reporters from an undisclosed location that the government and relatives had promised to do whatever they “can for release of Ajmal Khan” but sought some time.
The Taliban leader claimed that the government was in contact with them to secure the release of Ajmal Khan. He confirmed to have sent a list of their demands including names of their prisoners in the custody of law-enforcement agencies.
Taliban had extended the deadline on the appeal of a jirga held in the Charsadda district on November 7, after the Taliban’s November 20 deadline. They threatened to kill the vice-chancellor if their demands were not met by the November 20 deadline.
Universities in the province were closed on November 8 to press the government for the release of Ajmal Khan, but later opened on November 26.
