*ISLAMABAD – **Afghan Taliban breaks silence over the Media Reports ofPeace Deal with United States.*
*Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi, a senior Taliban leader and member of thepolitical commission, said that the Afghan peace agreement would be signedby the end of this month.*
In a video message shared with journalists on Monday, he said that it hadbeen decided that America would release 5,000 Taliban prisoners detained inBagram jail. “In exchange, Taliban will hand over 1,000 prisoners to theUnited States,” he said.
Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi said: “Both sides have started the final draft ofthe peace agreement. Now talks are concluded. The agreement will be signedin Doha at the end of this month in the presence of the United Nations, theOrganization of Islamic Cooperation, the European Union and representativesof Afghanistan’s neighboring countries.”
Read Top Stories
He said that before the agreement is signed, there will be a reduction inviolence to create a proper atmosphere for the signing ceremony.
This is the first formal statement released by the Taliban since the UnitedStates announced a peace deal with the Taliban on Friday.
