Hand over imprisoned Taliban commanders for reconciliation process: Afghanistan to Pak

Kabul [Afghanistan]: Afghanistan has asked Pakistan to hand over five top Taliban commanders imprisoned in that country to step up efforts for peace and reconciliation.

Adviser to the Afghanistan President on reconciliation and peace Affairs Muhammad Hanif Atmar handed over a list to Pakistan Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif comprising 35 commanders, five of whom have a say in the Taliban Shura and could play a role for peace in war-ravaged Afghanistan.

The five commanders include the co-founder of Afghan Taliban Mullah Ghani Baradar, senior members of the so-called Quetta Shura Mullah Ahmadullah Nani, Mullah Sammad Sani, and Mullah Suliman Agha who was arrested from a seminary in Quetta's Satellite Town along with four others on October 11, 2014,The Express Tribune has reported.

The list was provided to Pakistan on the sidelines of the 72nd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session in New York last month.

Meanwhile, Washington and Kabul have asked the Taliban to join the peace talks process in a move to restore sustainable peace in the country.