November 18, 2008	Tuesday	Ziqa'ad 19, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Nov 17: Iran has sought immediate recovery of its diplomat who was kidnapped on Thursday in Hayatabad, Peshawar.

A spokesman for the interior ministry said that Mashallah Shakiri, the Ambassador of Iran, had called on Rehman Malik, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior, on Monday and asked for early recovery of Heshmatollah Attarzadeh, commercial attaché of the Iranian consulate in Peshawar.

He said Mr Malik had assured the ambassador that the abducted diplomat would be recovered soon, informing him the NWFP government had already launched an operation.

“No one has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. However, the evidence collected so far indicates involvement of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan,” Mr Malik said.

“I will soon hold a meeting with the NWFP chief minister for reviewing security of foreigners and the federal government has already issued instructions for beefing up security for foreigners across the country,” he said.

The government has blamed local Taliban for abduction of the Iranian diplomat and other foreigners in the recent past.