ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has released three top Taliban leaders in a bid to help start peace talks between the Taliban group and Afghan government, the Afghan's Khama Press reported Wednesday.
Pakistani government officials confirming the report said the prisoners released on Tuesday included Mullah Abdul Ahad Jahangirwal, a former adviser to Taliban leader Mullah Omar; Mullah Abdul Manan, a former Taliban governor in the Afghan province of Helmand; and Mullah Younus, a former military commander.
The release of the senior Taliban leaders comes shortly after a delegation of the Afghan high peace council led by Salahuddin Rabbani visited Pakistan to discuss the Afghan peace process with the Pakistani officials.
Afghan high peace council delegation reportedly met with the former deputy Taliban leader Mullah Ghani Baradar during their visit to Pakistan.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar is believed to have a high influence over the Taliban group in Afghanistan, and the Afghan officials believe he can help start peace negotiations between the Afghan government and Taliban group.
With the release of three senior Taliban leaders, Pakistan has released around 30 Taliban prisoners during the past one year. (QNA)
