In order to facilitate the Afghan reconciliation process, Pakistan is releasing seven Taliban detainees. During the visit of Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai to Pakistan in August, the issue of releasing the Taliban prisoners was raised with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. One of the Afghan demands has also been the release of Mullah Biradar, a close aide of Mullah Omar. Mr. Karzai asked for Pakistan’s help to broker talks between the Afghan High Peace Council and the Taliban. Meanwhile a Reuters report from Abu Dhabi said that Pakistan plans to release all Afghan Taliban prisoners still in its detention, including the group’s former second-in-command.
