Pakistan's government has announced the release of seven senior Afghan Taliban figures, in what it describes as an effort to assist the peace process in neighboring Afghanistan.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement on September 7, "In order to further facilitate the Afghan reconciliation process, Pakistan is releasing seven Taliban detainees, namely Mansoor Dadullah, Said Wali, Abdul Manan, Karim Agha, Sher Afzal, Gul Muhammad, and Muhammad Zai."
About 25 other Taliban detainees were freed by Pakistan last year.
The latest releases were announced less than two weeks after Afghan President Hamid Karzai visited Islamabad to discuss the peace process.
Karzai has been attempting to negotiate with the Taliban to reach a political settlement of the Afghan conflict.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement on September 7, "In order to further facilitate the Afghan reconciliation process, Pakistan is releasing seven Taliban detainees, namely Mansoor Dadullah, Said Wali, Abdul Manan, Karim Agha, Sher Afzal, Gul Muhammad, and Muhammad Zai."
About 25 other Taliban detainees were freed by Pakistan last year.
The latest releases were announced less than two weeks after Afghan President Hamid Karzai visited Islamabad to discuss the peace process.
Karzai has been attempting to negotiate with the Taliban to reach a political settlement of the Afghan conflict.
