Afghan Taliban freed: Kabul shows discontent over ‘haphazard release’

Pakistan began releasing small batches of Afghan Taliban in 2012.

KABUL:

Afghanistan’s High Peace Council, set up to oversee peace talks with the Taliban, has had no formal meetings with any of the 46 Taliban prisoners released in neighbouring Pakistan, an official said on Friday, despite pleas to be present when they are freed.

Pakistan began releasing small batches of Afghan Taliban prisoners in 2012 at the request of Kabul which wants to use the men as interlocutors to pursue peace talks with the insurgents, who are ramping up attacks as Nato troops withdraw and the country prepares for April 5 elections.

The Afghans wanted a delegation present at each release. But they complained that Pakistan does not tell them before prisoners are freed, raising question about Pakistan’s sincerity in wanting to help bring an end to the war.

“We want all prisoners to be given into Afghan custody,” said a high-ranking member of the council. “Members of the High Peace Council should have a chance to see them and talk to them and say look, we have been asking for your release, now you have been released, it would be better for us to cooperate to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan.”

Instead, Pakistan only informs the Afghans after the men are released, he said, speaking anonymously to avoid jeopardising ongoing talks. The council had managed to establish informal contact through intermediaries with around 15 of the 46 freed prisoners, he said, but had had no direct meetings. Almost all were in Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 15^th, 2014.