Former Senior Taliban Members Released from Pakistani Jails
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Hemera/Thinkstock(ISLAMABAD) — Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry Monday confirmed the release of eight taliban prisoners in order to “facilitate the Afghan reconciliation process.”
As part of the ongoing peace process, the Pakistani and Afghan governments have agreed on a number of steps to promote the reconciliation process in Afghanistan — the most important being the release of taliban prisoners.
“It’s a one stage at a time process,” said one Pakistani government official.
Those released, among others, include several former leaders during the taliban’s regime in Afghanistan:
- Abdul Bari — former governor, Helmund
- Nur-ud-Din Turabi — former justice minister
- Allah Daad Tabib — a former minister
- Mullah Daud Jan — former governor, Kabul
- Mir Ahmed Gul — a former governor.
Monday’s announcement of the prisoners’ release follows another made in November, when Pakistan released 18 taliban detainees to Afghanistan, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Pakistan intends to release more prisoners in the coming weeks and months in order to show its seriousness in helping the Afghan peace process.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio