Three Pakistani officials taken hostage, released

Islamabad: Three power department officials were taken hostage by people angry over outages in Pakistan`s Pakistan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. They were later released.

The incident took place during a demonstration against power cuts in Sherkot area Sunday, reported a newspaper.

The protesters blocked a highway for over three hours.

The officials were, however, released on the assurance from the police that a power transformer in the area would be repaired.

Police said that people had thrice paid for repair of a faulty transformer.

The protesters said officials were again demanding money for repair of the transformer.

"They refused to repair the transformer when we declined to pay more money to them," said a protestor.

IANS