Pakistan: No trace of Envoy

There are no new leads, although a local Jirga is being held to discuss his fate. This article at least acknowledges him as still being alive but has officials appearing to be backing off the Dadullah swap rumor. Update: 10 paramilitary officials held for negligence in kidnapping. Vehicle impounded.

Pakistani security forces resumed searching for a third day Wednesday for the country's ambassador to Afghanistan who disappeared in Pakistan's restive northwest tribal region where Taliban militants have become increasingly active.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammed Sadiq said there were no new leads into the whereabouts of Ambassador Tariq Azizuddin, who vanished along with his driver and bodyguard Monday morning.

"There's nothing new. The search is on," Sadiq said.
Azizuddin had been traveling by road from the Pakistani city of Peshawar to the Afghan capital of Kabul Monday when they went missing in the Khyber region just before the border.

Last week, two Pakistani employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross also went missing in the same area.

Local tribal leaders were holding a council meeting, or Jirga, to discuss the fate of Azizuddin, who they believe was likely kidnapped and being held by local militant groups.