ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has thanked Afghan President Ashraf Ghani for the ‘humanitarian gesture’ of ordering the release of Pakistani prisoners languishing in Afghanistan’s jails.
Afghan media reported on a November 18 order by Ghani this week, which said Pakistani inmates whose jail terms ended in a month would be freed, as well as those who were serving longer jail terms because they were unable to pay fines.
“Welcome decree by Afghan President H.E. [his excellency] Ashraf Ghani for release of Pakistani prisoners who have completed their terms and are not able to pay fines or those nearing completion of their terms,” Pakistan’s Ambassador to Kabul, Mansoor Ahmed Khan, said in a tweet. “Appreciate this humanitarian gesture.”
Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq also welcomed Ghani’s decision.
“Pakistan is grateful for the goodwill gesture of President Ashraf Ghani to order the release Pakistanis imprisoned in Afghanistan on humanitarian grounds,” Sadiq said in a tweet.
Last week, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan went to Kabul on his maiden visit since assuming office in August 2018 and held wide-ranging talks with Ghani. It was the highest profile visit by a Pakistani official to Kabul since peace talks began between the Taliban and the Afghan government in the Qatari capital of Doha.
