Canadian journalist abducted in Pakistan
A Canadian journalist was abducted this week in Pakistan's northern tribal region while gathering materials for a documentary, officials said Thursday, days after another was released in Afghanistan.
Beverly Giesbrecht, 52, also known as Khadija Abdul Qahaar, was seized at gunpoint on Tuesday while traveling in the Bannu district of Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province, which borders Afghanistan.
The English-language Pakistan daily News International first reported her abduction on Wednesday and the news was picked up by Canadian media the following day.
Lisa Monette, a spokeswoman for Canada's Foreign Affairs department told AFP, "The government of Canada is aware of the kidnapping of a Canadian citizen in Pakistan."
"Canadian officials are engaged with Pakistani authorities in seeking her safe and early release," she said.
News International said: "The Canadian female journalist, Khadija Abdul Qahaar, along with her translator and guide, was on her way to Miramshah in North Waziristan ... by a taxi when some unidentified armed men kidnapped her."
"District police were combing the area to locate and recover the Canadian journalist and her colleagues," the daily went on to say.
Giesbrecht publishes the website jihadunspun.com, which offers alternative news on the Islamic world.
Also this week, Mellissa Fung, 35, was freed after being kidnapped in Kabul on October 12 and held captive in a hole in the ground for 28 days, sometimes chained and blindfolded.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reporter was handed over to Afghan intelligence officials late Saturday near the town of Maydan Shah, about 50km southwest of the Afghan capital.
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