October 20, 2008	Monday	Shawwal 20, 1429

PESHAWAR, Oct 19: The Afghan government has voiced serious concern over the continued disappearance of its missing ambassador-designate Abdul Khaliq Farahi, who was kidnapped from Peshawar on Sept 22. His driver was shot dead.

“The Pakistan government should take concrete steps for immediate and safe recovery of the ambassador-designate,” Afghan foreign ministry spokesman Sultan Ahmad Baheen said while talking to newsmen on Sunday.

The spokesman expressed satisfaction with the government’s assurances, but urged security organisations to take steps for the recovery of the diplomat.

He said that Afghan Foreign Minister Rangeen Dadfar Spanta, who was due in Islamabad on Oct 22, would discuss the matter with Pakistani officials.

“The kidnapping of Mr Farahi will be on top of the agenda during Mr Spanta’s visit to Islamabad. He will also discuss with his Pakistani counterpart a joint strategy to combat terrorism in the region,” he said.

Soon after the incident, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Security, Mr Rehman Malik, stated that the missing diplomat had been shifted to Jamrud, in the Khyber tribal region.

Mr Baheen said the Afghan government had been discussing the issue with senior officials in Islamabad and members of parliament to speed up efforts for the recovery of Mr Farahi.

“As far as the government’s assurances are concerned we are satisfied, but Pakistani security organisations should take serious action for the recovery of the diplomat,” he said, adding that the Afghan government had not been provided any information about whereabouts of Mr Farahi and the group involved in the kidnapping.

He said a month had passed but the Afghan government was still without any clue.