Process of Releasing Taliban Prisoners Stalled!

The process of releasing Taliban prisoners was suspended Saturday over lack of security guarantees, according to reports.

The process of releasing Taliban prisoners was suspended Saturday over lack of security guarantees, according to reports.
“We are ready to start the process the way it is described in the presidential decree but we won’t release anyone if there is no guarantee that they will not return to fighting,” said Javid Faisal, spokesman for the Afghan government’s national security advisor. “The Taliban have to show flexibility “

The Taliban militants say the agreement requires the government to release 5,000 prisoners before talks begin, according to Reuters.
“Our stance on the prisoners’ release is crystal clear. They should be released without any pre-condition the way it is mentioned on the US-Taliban peace agreement,” Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson. “We have not agreed to any extra dialogue or conditions.”

Earlier this week President Ashraf Ghani agreed to free 1,500 prisoners on Saturday with plans to release the remainder once conditions were met.