Pak frees 26 Afghan Taliban prisoners

January 01, 2013 01:09

Pakistan today said it had freed 26 Afghan Taliban prisoners, including former ministers Mullah Nooruddin Turabi and Maulvi Allah Dad, since last month as part of its efforts to give impetus to the reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

Eight Taliban detainees were released today to "further facilitate the Afghan reconciliation process", said a statement issued by the Foreign Office tonight.

Eighteen Taliban prisoners were freed last month on the request of the Afghan High Peace Council, it said. Former justice minister Nooruddin Turabi, former communications minister Maulvi Allah Dad, former Helmand province governor Abdul Bari, former Kabul governor Mullah Daud Jan and former governor Mir Ahmed Gul were among those released today, the statement said.

Diplomatic sources told PTI that Mohammad Azim, a former security guard of Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Omar, too was freed today.

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