A British journalist, held captive by militants in northwestern Pakistan for several months, has been freed, the foreign office in London said Thursday.

Asad Qureshi, a British national of Pakistani descent, had been involved in making a film on militancy in northwestern Pakistan for Britain's Channel 4 commercial TV station.

'We can confirm that Asad Qureshi has been released. Our consular staff are providing assistance,' a foreign office spokeswoman said.

The authorities in Pakistan were understood to have been negotiating his release since April.