ISLAMABAD – Pakistan PM Imran Khan responds over the Afghanistan high levelprisoners swap.
Prime Minister Imran Khan welcomed the release. “We appreciate steps takenby all involved to make it possible. As part of the international communityworking to bring peace and end the suffering of the Afghan people, Pakistanhas fully supported and facilitated this release […] as part of itspolicy of supporting initiatives for a negotiated political settlement ofthe Afghan conflict,” he said via Twitter.
“We hope this step gives a boost of confidence to all parties involved tore-engage in the peace process. Pakistan remains committed to facilitatingthis peace process,” he added.
The duo’s freedom came hours after the Afghan government freed threeTaliban prisoners and sent them to Qatar.
The three included Anas Haqqani, the younger brother of the Taliban’sdeputy Sirajuddin Haqqani, who also leads the fearsome Haqqani network.
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It appears the Taliban had refused to hand over the two professors untilthey received proof their men had reached Qatar.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani a week ago announced the conditional releaseof the Taliban figures, saying at a press event broadcast live on statetelevision that it was a very hard decision he felt he had to make in theinterest of the Afghan people.
