The Pakistani government says it will release 13 Taliban prisoners as a "goodwill gesture" to help ongoing peace talks with the militants.
Speaking to reporters after meeting with Taliban and government peace committees on April 5, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said he hopes the Taliban would reciprocate.
Khan said that by the time the next round of talks is held next week, the number of released prisoners will reach “around 30."
On April 4, the Pakistani Taliban extended until April 10 their March cease-fire in order to allow the government time to release prisoners and pull back its troops.
Islamabad began talks with the Tehrik-e Taliban in February in an attempt to end the insurgency started by the militants in 2007.
Speaking to reporters after meeting with Taliban and government peace committees on April 5, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said he hopes the Taliban would reciprocate.
Khan said that by the time the next round of talks is held next week, the number of released prisoners will reach “around 30."
On April 4, the Pakistani Taliban extended until April 10 their March cease-fire in order to allow the government time to release prisoners and pull back its troops.
Islamabad began talks with the Tehrik-e Taliban in February in an attempt to end the insurgency started by the militants in 2007.