October 13, 2003	Monday	Sha'aban 16, 1424

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QUETTA, Oct 12: The Afghan secret agency ‘Khad’ has refused to release three Karachi-based Pakistani businessmen, who were arrested in Spin Boldak three days back, when they crossed into Wash Mandi for shopping.

The Khad officials, who have taken these Pakistanis to Kandahar after arrest, have turned down the request of the Spin Boldak administration it made for their early release.

“The Pakistani businessmen are in the custody of Khad officials in Kandahar who have refused to release them without receiving ransom money,” Syed Fazal Din Agha, commissioner Spin Boldak informed Pakistani border authorities in Chaman who were making efforts for their release.

He further said: “The Khad officials are not under their control and they usually do the same action in Spin Boldak to blackmail the people.”

Pakistani border officials when contacted said they were making all out efforts for the early release of all the three men and in this connection the Pakistani Consul General in Kandahar would also be contacted.

Pakistani authorities denied the Afghan secret agency’s claim and said that all the three Pakistanis taken into custody were not government servant.