KABUL - The Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah visited the protest camp of civil society members and families of 31 abducted passengers on Friday in Zarnigar Park of Kabul.

He once again promised the sit-in protesters to put all efforts for the release of hostages being held for about two months by the unknown gunmen.

"What is more important to us is the safe release of hostages," Abdullah said following criticisms accusing the government of inaction to rescue the abductees.

In order to make the protesters sure about government's efforts for the release of abductees, Abdullah asked the civil society activists and the families of hostages to send their representative to the National Security Council (NSC) meeting where top government officials including security authorities discuss the matter.

Regarding the alleged demand of kidnappers for prisoners' swap, Abdullah - who has repeatedly opposed release of prisoners accused of insurgency - warned that "the release of prisoners in exchange for hostages must not become a tradition."

Yesterday, the head of provincial council of Zabul, Attaullah, told TOLOnews that the kidnappers had demanded the release of 12 prisoners currently detained by the Afghan government in exchange for the 31 hostages.

However, the National Security Council has reportedly rejected the demand.

At least 31 passengers  were kidnapped on February 24 along the Kabul-Kandahar highway, but their fate is still uncertain.

Since the abduction, the Afghans around the world have been staging protests and rallies to demand the safe release of those abducted. (Tolonews)