Peshawar:
A well-known Pakistani educationist, who was kidnapped last month, appealed to the government in a video released by the Taliban to hold talks with the rebel group for his safe release.
Muhammad Ajmal Khan, Vice Chancellor of the Islamia College University in Peshawar, is related to Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan.
He was kidnapped by militants on September 7.
In the video, Khan was shown with two masked and armed Taliban fighters standing behind him.
He appealed to the government to hold talks with the Taliban for his safe release.
He said his health had deteriorated, making it difficult for him to remain in captivity for a long time.
Khan had grown a beard in captivity and looked upset and distressed while reading out a statement that was apparently given to him by the Taliban.
He expressed dismay at the government's apathetic attitude towards him, saying it had not made any effort to get him released.
"I appeal to the president of the ANP, Asfandyar Wali Khan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Amir Haider Khan Hoti to play their role in this regard," he said.
Khan appealed to vice chancellors of universities across the country to pressure the government to hold talks with his abductors.
The Abdullah Azam Brigade, a faction of the Pakistani Taliban, has claimed responsibility for Khan's abduction.
It has demanded a huge ransom and the release of detained militant commanders to set Khan free.