Pakistan agrees to set free Taliban leaders
Salahuddin Rabbani, Head Afghan High Peace Council called on General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Chief of Army Staff at General Headquarters. — Photo by ISPR
ISLAMABAD: In an unprecedented gesture of support for Afghanistan’s struggling reconciliation process, Pakistan agreed on Tuesday to release several Taliban leaders detained in the country’s jails.
The development, which hasn’t been made public by either side, came on the second day of Afghan High Peace Council Chief Mr Salahuddin Rabbani’s three-day visit to Islamabad to re-start the peace process which has been in the limbo for over a year now.
It was unclear if the detainees, who are said to be numbering close to 10, have been set free on Tuesday or would be released at the conclusion of Mr Rabbani’s visit.
The group, according to a source, does not include Mullah Baradar — Taliban’s second in command — who was captured by Pakistani security forces in Karachi in 2010.
Talks between the peace delegation led by Mr Rabbani and Pakistani officials would continue on Wednesday when the two sides are expected to come up with a joint statement on the progress made by them.
A Pakistani official, who had been briefed on the talks, told Dawn that “significant progress has already been made”.
The release of Taliban detainees in Pakistan has been a longstanding Afghan demand for catalysing the slow moving process.
A keen follower of the negotiations, who didn’t want to be named, said the release of prisoners was a positive step, which would provide the right environment for reconciliation.
Islamabad has long said that it supported peace and stability in Afghanistan, but has been holding back its cards in view of lack of clarity about the peace process with Taliban both in Kabul and Washington.
However, with the drawdown deadline approaching fast and all sorts of unfavourable scenarios for Pakistan being projected (with the assumption that instability in Afghanistan would continue), the government appears to have changed its tack and decided to more proactively support the process for the sake of its success. It is more than clear to Pakistani strategists that successful reconciliation in Afghanistan is their best bet.
Dr Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan’s former envoy to US and UK, had last week told the Senate Standing Committee on Defence that absence of a political settlement in Afghanistan “could lead to disastrous consequences for the region, especially for Pakistan, which is already reeling from over three decades of turmoil and conflict in its western neighbour”.
President Asif Ali Zardari in his meeting with the Afghan peace delegation reiterated the government’s position that Pakistan would continue to extend every possible support to Afghanistan in its journey to peace and socio-economic development.
Mr Zardari noted that a peaceful, stable and economically developed Afghanistan was vital for Pakistan’s own stability and prosperity.
The delegation also called on Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani at the military headquarters in Rawalpindi. Mr Rabbani was invariably reminded by all his interlocutors in Islamabad that trust deficit remained to be addressed and that cross-border shelling by Afghanistan was adding to problems in ties.
The Taliban have never been to New York. 9/11 was an inside job. Americans talk so much about 9/11 and how Americans were killed, what about what America has done to us and other innocent people. The U.S is responsible for the murder and crimes commited against Native Americans, Mexicans, Japanese, Vietnamese, Iraqis, Palestinians, Afghan, Pakistanis, and other nations. You are the terrorists man, not us.
How the killers of humanity is released? it seems that our army as usual sold themselves.
Our army only conquered their own country. This is there vision on the blood of common people of Pakistan.
The lunatics are running the state of Pakistan. Talibans are enemy of Pakistan, Islam and the people. of the region and should have been taken care of long time ago. If released, they will be marching on Islamabad tomorrow claiming the country.
This is surrender, what a shame.
Why do the Talibans have to be released. They are animals, treat them like animals an get rid f them. They are a shame to humanity.
So let me see if I got this straight… Releasing the leaders of people who slaughter innocent civilians (regardless of nationality or religion) is somehow supposed to help the peace and development process?
Your Call.
If it will help start an equitable process of negotiation, good. It shows good faith on the government’s part. Doubt that policy has changed.
The Taliban cannot be trusted, but it also might be just a gesture until elections are over to pacify the Taliban. It still seems between the Army and the PPP administration that one hand does not know what the other hand is doing.
If the Army is going to make a big push in Karachi they would want Waziristan on the back burner.
peace or no peace deal or no deal, our blood will not go in vain.Those who think our blood are cheap are making a big historical mistake. We are merciful to our muslim brothers but a thunders to hypocrites and misguided people.
Why Pakistani Army takes prisioners – i cannot understand!!!.. Indian army figured out 20 years back that taking terrorists asa prisioners is time & money wasted… Just shoot them – 1 bullet is about 12 rupees… taking them prisioners will cost tax payers about 2 lakh per month!!!
I had forgotten about the capture of the taliban leaders in order to hamper the negotiations in Afganistan since we were feeling left out. What is more interesting in this is the fact that we can get to the leadership of Taliban when our agencies want to but these lunatics are presented as a formidable force when it comes to civil security. How far is our security establishment will to go to assert influence in Afganistan??
whats surprising in this news in this bogus war ? Pak just wants to extend this war so that US keeps giving Aid and Arms. double standards has already left this country a failed state ! God Save Pak!!
A typical indian comment.
read what your fellow pakistanis have to say, and then tell me if iam wrong with my comments.
Set them free? These are the people who chop off the heads of our soldiers. They should have been hanged ages ago.
Same Taliban have given me the thumbs down. Shame on you.
A month ago the treacherous Taliban shoot a 14 years old girl child point blank in her head for loving school — the terrible act makes headlines all over the world — the wounded girl has not even come out of the hospital — and Pakistan lets 10 of the Taliban leaders go home?
Is there something wrong with this picture?
@NASAH (USA):“…14 years old girl child point blank in her head for loving school…”
.
Point blank indeed. That is a story only those who have never used a military weapon can believe. Have you? It can go through bricks and rocks at 100yards. Take off a limb at that distance. Kill at 500yards with ease.
Why not release every criminal, murderer and thief from the jail also along with the Taliban??
They are already ruling the country
Well said, lol.
lol.. guess you meant to say they are already out and ruling the country
What a good idea.
take no prisoners ever.