ISLAMABAD - Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik disclosed on Monday that al-Qaida and Taliban militants wanted to kidnap a son of Pakistani President during his visit in Karachi.

Malik told reporters that the interior ministry's crisis management cell learnt about this threat in September, and issued notifications regarding the matter to top aides of the prime minister and president.

He added that "necessary measures"have been taken for the security of Bilawal Bhtoo Zardari. Bilawal, a student of Oxford, is also chairman of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party. He was appointed the part leader after the 2007 assassination of his mother Benazir Bhutto.

The Minister also said that Shahbaz Taseer, the kidnapped son of slain former Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer, is still alive and has been shifted to the Pakistan-Afghan border.

Malik said although he has information that Shahbaz is alive, more information could not be disclosed regarding the investigation into the abduction.

Malik's statement regarding Shahbaz's whereabouts comes after Punjab Governor Latif Khosa's statement in August, when he claimed that Shahbaz was still alive.

Khosa said significant clues regarding Shahbaz's abduction have been found during the investigation.