The Polish engineer, Piotr Stanczak, kidnapped in Pakistan in September is alive, according to analyst and commentator Aimal Khan, who contacted the kidnappers personally.

Khan, who works at a political science institute in Islamabad, was asked to find out about the state of the Pole by a representative of the European Union. He told Polish Radio that the kidnappers are willing to negotiate.

According to the commentator, the situation is still difficult and, although the ultimatum may be postponed by a couple of days, the situation is soon likely to become unpredictable.

The kidnappers’ ransom demands include a call for releasing imprisoned Taliban members, as well as a withdrawal of Pakistani government troops from the ‘tribal’ areas. They are also willing to hold talks concerning negotiation of the ransom.

However, since Wednesday evening, when the deadline of the ultimatum delivered to the Pakistani government by kidnappers expired, the kidnappers have not contacted Polish authorities.

The spokesman for the Polish Foreign Ministry, Piotr Paszkowski, recalled that Zenon Kuchciak, the Foreign Ministery’s special envoy for the matter, has already been sent to Pakistan.

"This is the second time that he is visiting Pakistan to hold talks concerning the kidnapped Pole," said Paszkowski.

Apart from the Polish engineer there are also Chinese, American, Afghan and Irish men, as well as some Pakistani officials who remain in custody. (is)