As part of a February deal between the United States and the Taliban, it was agreed that up to 5,000 Taliban prisoners should be released from Afghan jails before peace talks between the militat group and the government. The government has released 4,600 prisoners.
In a resolution, the gathering of more than 3,000 elders, community leaders and politicians said that intra-Afghan peace talks should begin immediately.
It said that foreign prisoners, if any, should be handed over to their respective nations after receiving credible guarantees from their governments.
It said that there should be assurances that freed prisoners will not return to the battlefield.
The resolution also said that permanent ceasefire should prevail immediately.
The resolution also said that the principle of democracy, republic system, basic rights of citizens, especially of ethnic, religious minorities should not be harmed in peace negotiations.
President Ashraf Ghani said that he will sign an order today (Sunday) to release the 400 Taliban prisoners. He also called on the Taliban to accept the assembly’s demand for ceasefire.
Calling Loya Jirga’s decision a historic one, Abdullah Abdullah, chairman of High Council for National Reconciliation, said that it removed last excuses for refusing to enter peace negotiations.
Meanwhile, former president Hamid Karzai said that intra-Afghan negotiations would begin within two to three days after the release of Taliban prisoners.
He said that there would be more money, more jobs and more dams with peace in Afghanistan.
