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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has welcomed a presidential decree that orders the release of Pakistani prisoners languishing in jails in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani last week issued the decree for the prisoners who have completed their sentences but remain incarcerated because of non-payment of fines and those with up to one month remaining on their terms.
The Afghan president pardoned several Pakistani prisoners and ordered their release, according to a presidential decree. The decree did not mention how many prisoners will be freed.
“Pakistan appreciates this humanitarian gesture which will provide relief to the individuals and their families covered by this decision,” said a statement by Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri
He said Islamabad reaffirms its commitment to continue mutual engagement leading to facilitation and benefits for the people on both sides. Pakistani and Afghan officials did not mention the number of prisoners to be released.
According to Afghan media, the states “a number of Pakistani prisoners” jailed in the country would be released as a “goodwill gesture for strengthening relations between the two neighbours.” Several Pakistani nationals are imprisoned in Afghan jails but their exact numbers are unknown.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan Mansoor Khan said on Tuesday that there will be no terrorism-related convicts among those who will be freed.
“There will be no prisoner charged with terrorism-related offenses among those who will be released in accordance with the presidential decree,” the Pakistani ambassador told a new agency.
