The Prime Minister of Pakistan has ordered officials to immediately respond to the kidnapping case involving a Chinese tourist in the northwestern district of Dera Ismail Khan.

According to a local media report, Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharifon ordered the Interior Ministry on Tuesday afternoon to coordinate quickly for the immediate release of the tourists from China from the kidnappers. Dawn News reported early on Tuesday that the Chinese national was abducted by unknown men.

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The news agency cited a police official saying that the kidnapped tourist was on his way to Quetta city from Lahore when the incident happened.

Police officer Sadiq Balock said that the tourist went missing after entering an area in the district of Dera Ismail Khan. The area was located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province's northwest.

The tourist who was kidnapped was identified as Hong Xudong. He flew to Pakistan from India last April and was riding a bicycle when the incident happened. Hong was headed to Balochistan, a restive region where foreigners were restricted to enter without security.

Hong's passport was recovered by police authorities in the area along with other personal items. This has prompted authorities to launch a search operation.

Police reports showed that Hong was abducted around 2:30 PM local time on Monday. However, the search operation for the kidnapped Chinese national showed no progress so far.

The kidnapping of the tourist was claimed by the Pakistani Taliban, reported local media. The report went on saying that the head of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan Abdullah Bahar told the media that they have kidnapped the Chinese national. He also added that the tourist was taken to a secured hideout.

Bahar also added that they abducted the Chinese tourist to negotiate with the Pakistani government regarding the release of members that were arrested.

Meanwhile, the Chinese embassy in the country has coordinated with the Pakistani government regarding the matter.

TagsPakistan, Nawaz Sharifon, Hong Xudong, Abdullah Bahar