Afghanistan to free Taliban prisoners, peace talks near

Pakistan on Sunday welcomed the Afghan Loya Jirga's recommendation to release the remaining 400 prisoners, hoping the step would pave way for early commencement of intraAfghan negotiations.

After three-day talks, Afghan Loya Jirga, an assembly of elders, chieftains and notables, recommended that the Afghan government release 400 Taliban prisoners.

The release of prisoners is part of the US-Taliban peace deal inked on February 29 in Doha to facilitate the intra-Afghan dialogue. The Afghan government has already released 4,600 prisoners.

“We hope that with implementation of this step relating to the prisoners' release, as envisaged in the US-Taliban peace agreement, intra-Afghan negotiations will commence at the earliest,” a foreign office spokesperson said in a statement.

Pakistan has repeatedly emphasized that Afghan leaders must seize this historic opportunity and work together constructively through intraAfghan negotiations to secure a comprehensive, broad-based and inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan.

The spokesperson urged the international community to reinforce its support for the success of intra-Afghan negotiations for sustained and durable peace and stability in Afghanistan.

“For its part, Pakistan has consistently supported an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and reconciliation process. Pakistan’s positive contribution to the process is internationally recognised,” he added, forgetting Pakistan’s role in the destruction of Afghanistan.

UNGA President in

Pak for talks

AFP People take sunbath respecting the safety measures at the beach in Blankenberge, on Sunday, after some resort towns on the Belgian coast announced measures to stop day trippers, after beach fights broke out between police and youths told to leave for refusing to respect coronavirus safety measures. —