Pakistan to Release Some Afghan Taliban Prisoners

Pakistan's Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf (R) shakes hands with members of Afghanistan's High Peace Council at the prime minister's residence in Islamabad, November 12, 2012.

Pakistan has agreed to release some Afghan Taliban prisoners, amid talks with members of Afghanistan's High Peace Council about the country's reconciliation efforts.

Afghanistan has long sought access to the prisoners to aid the stalled peace process.

It was not clear how many or which prisoners would be involved in the release.

The head of the peace council, Salahuddin Rabbani, is in Pakistan for talks with top officials, including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

Ashraf told the Afghan delegation there is consensus that both countries should work together for peace in the region.

President Zardari pledged to support Afghanistan's peace efforts, and said having a peaceful, stable Afghanistan is important for Pakistan's own stability and prosperity.

International troops are handing over security responsibility to Afghan forces, and are set to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.