Kabul, Feb 10: Afghan President Hamid Karzai ordered 19 Pakistanis and 72 fighters who fought for the former Taliban regime freed from prison today in a goodwill gesture
marking the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, officials said.
Most of the prisoners ordered released were captured in
late 2001 during a us-led military operation that ousted the
Taliban.
Prisoners in Muslim countries often are freed on the eve
of Eid al-Adha, which begins tomorrow and will last four days.
Muslims celebrate by sacrificing animals.
Nasir Ali, a spokesman for Herat Gov. Ismail Khan, said
the Pakistanis all were released from jails in Herat province.
The were turned over to foreign ministry officials and would
be returned to Pakistan, he said.
The Taliban fighters were released from several jails
round the country.
``All the prisoners were in good condition, and they
thanked Hamid Karzai for letting them go to their homes to
celebrate Eid with their families,'' Ali said.
Ali said Karzai also had ordered the release of 47 common
criminals.
Bureau Report
