“In order to remove an obstacle, allow the start of the peace process and an end of bloodshed, the Loya Jirga approves the release of 400 Taliban,” the assembly said in a resolution. With the release, the Afghan government will fulfil its pledge to release 5,000 Taliban prisoners. Talks between the warring Taliban and government will start in Doha this week, Western diplomats said. Deliberation over the release of last batch of Taliban prisoners, accused of conducting some of the bloodiest attacks across Afghanistan, had triggered outrage among civilians and rights groups who questioned the morality of the peace process. In a February pact allowing for the withdrawal of US troops, Washington and the Taliban agreed on the release of the Taliban prisoners as a condition for the talks with Kabul.

Source: bd News24 August 09, 2020 07:52 UTC