Nine Pakistani government officials kidnapped by suspected militants last week in the restive tribal region of North Waziristan were freed Wednesday, one of the officials said. The nine, including six women, were being transported to the main northwestern city of Peshawar, Zahir Ullah told The Associated Press by phone. «We were freed today. I can't tell you who had held us. We have arrived at Bannu and will be going to Peshawar,» he said. Bannu is a town located near North Waziristan.
