Summary According to Afghan officials, Pakistan has freed 13 Afghan Taliban leaders.
The Afghan authorities have declared it as an effort to further peace process in Afghanistan.
The Taliban leaders who were released included Anwar ul-Haq, a former militant commander in Tora Bora who was arrested from Peshawar in 2009. Anwar is son of former key commander Yunis Khalis who fought against the Russians during 80’s.
Meanwhile, the other Taliban leaders released by Pakistan included former governor of Baghlan province Mullah Abdul Salam, Ahmad Gul of Nangarhar and former governor of Kabul Daood Jalali among others.
The Taliban leaders were released following talks in Islamabad with Afghan Peace Council.
According to Afghan government, there were 30 to 40 Afghan Taliban members in different jails of Pakistan.
According to foreign media, Pakistan will consider freeing former Afghan Taliban second-in-command, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, if current releases of Taliban members help to advance peace efforts.
