"For better management of the prisoner issue, it is important to extend the ceasefire," Javid Faisal, a spokesman for Afghanistan's national security adviser, told a news conference. Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen, in a statement on Twitter, welcomed the release of 900 prisoners as "good progress" and said the group would in turn free a "remarkable number" of prisoners soon. Last month, the Taliban rejected a call by the Afghan government for a Ramadan ceasefire. Another freed prisoner, Qari Ahmad Sayeed, said he was delighted to be free, adding, "I hope this will result in bringing peace to the country." Until Tuesday, the government had freed just 1,000 prisoners and the Taliban 105, the spokesman for national security adviser Hamdullah Mohib, told Reuters before the news conference.

Source: bd News24 May 26, 2020 19:07 UTC