Afghan Peace Deal: Ashraf Ghani agrees to release 1,500 Taliban prisoners to initiate talk

After an initial denial, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will sign a decree to release 1,500 prisoned Taliban fighters, as a part of historic Doha agreement. prisoner release will be first move towards initiating intra-Afghan dialogue to put an end to 18-year-old US war on terror. 

Late on March 10, Afghan President's spokesperson anunced, "President Ghani has signed decree that would facilitate release of Taliban prisoners in accordance with an accepted framework for start of negotiations between Taliban and Afghan government." decree said that prisoner release will begin in next four days. 

agreement, which will initially see 100 prisoners freed each day, will depend on Taliban's willingness to significantly limit attacks in country, he ded. anuncement came hours after US said its forces h started pulling out of two bases in Afghanistan, in line with a deal signed between Washington and Taliban in Doha last month aiming to end America's longest war.

RE| Taliban likely to flout Afghanistan peace agreement, US intel claims

Diplomats from Afghanistan, United States, India, Pakistan and or members of United Nations gared alongside Taliban representatives in Doha's Sheraton Hotel on February 29. On Tuesday, Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen tified that armed group h handed a list of 5,000 prisoners to US and was waiting for all to be released, as a part of prison exchange agreement. 

"If our 5,000 prisoners - 100 or 200 more or less does t matter, do t get released re will be intra-Afghan talks," Afghan media said quoting Taliban. US and Taliban representatives negotiated for almost 18 months in Doha, before signing peace deal under multiple conditions. 

Ghani's previous denial 

friction within peace deal flared up on March 2 after Afghan President declared that his government has t agreed to prison swap with Talibani prisoners. " government of Afghanistan has me commitment to free 5,000 Taliban prisoners. It is t in authority of United States to decide, y are only a facilitator" Afghan President Ashraf Ghani told reporters in Kabul.

Subsequently, Taliban h refused to participate in intra-Afghan talks until release of all 5000 prisoners. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani speaking about peace deal said that all contents in agreement are 'conditions-based'. Last week, in Afghanistan, country's former chief executive  Abdullah Abdullah held a parallel inauguration to Ghani declaring himself President. Refusing to accept Ghani's Presidency, Abdullah also refused power-sharing deal offered to him a day ago. 

RE| Days after peace deal, US President Donald Trump h 'good talk' with Taliban leer

RE| India to attend Afghanistan peace deal signing between US-Taliban in Doha