ISLAMABAD, MARCH 26, SPA -- Government authorities successful negotiations with tribesmen led to the release of the hijacked Pak-Afghan Friendship bus Wednesday, officials said. The Zakhakhel tribesmen had hijacked the bus and made hostage forty passengers of the near Zakhakhel area (Landi Kotal) early Wednesday morning. Government negotiators assured the Zakhakhel tribe that their demand would be conveyed to the authorities concerned. The hijackers demanded release of 3 persons imprisoned in Afghanistan. They were assured that Pakistan would hold talks with Afghanistan at the diplomatic level to secure the release of these persons. The bus was on its way to Afghanistan with some forty passengers mostly Afghans on board. After its release, the bus resumed its journey to Afghan city of Jalalabad.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/540031