Taliban again releases video of kidnapped professor

Taliban militants Thursday released a video of a kidnapped professor in which he appeals to the government to accept the rebels’ demands to secure his release, DawnNews reported. Professor Ajmal Khan, a locally-renowned academic and a close ally of the ruling Awami National Party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, was kidnapped on September 7, 2011. He said that he had served the government in past in various capacities; first he was Vice chancellor of Kohat University then he was made and Vice-chancellor of Islamia University which is equivalent to the post of Chief Secretary of the province. He complained the government he has been captivated by Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for about 18 months but he has not been aided by the officials to get him released. He said that TTP has demanded the release of four Pakistani Taliban prisoners in the bargain of his release but government has refused the offer. He demanded the government to take imperative steps to make his release possible. Security officials said Taliban insurgents have been using kidnapping as ransom tool, and to bargain for the release of their militants being held by Pakistan authorities.