BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang confirmed here Saturday night that the seven Chinese kidnapped in Pakistani capital of Islamabad were released around 8p.m. Saturday (Beijing Time).

    "They have arrived at the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad, with the efforts from Chinese Foreign Ministry and the embassy, and thegreat support from the Pakistani government," Qin said.

    Chinese government has paid great attention to the abduction, said Qin. "Both the Foreign Ministry and the embassy have lodged urgent representation to the Pakistani side, requesting the early release of the Chinese hostages and ensure the safety of all Chinese in Pakistan."

    It was reported that a Chinese couple, five of their women employees, and two Pakistani men were taken away from their residence in Islamabad early Saturday morning by Lal Masjid students.

2 Chinese hostages released in Pakistan

    ISLAMABAD, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao told Chinese Ambassador Luo Zhaohui here Saturday that two of the seven Chinese hostages taken by religious school students were released.

    A Chinese couple, five of his women employees, and two Pakistani men were taken away from their residence in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, early Saturday morning by Lal Masjid students, according to reliable sources.

    The rest of the Chinese hostages are now held in Jamia Hafsa, areligious school under Lal Masjid, the red mosque.

    Earlier, in a telephone conversation with Luo, Sherpao said that he was very sorry for the unexpected incident. Full story