Some lawmakers in Afghanistan’s parliament and a delegate of the grand council called President Ghani’s decision on release of Taliban prisoners a “unilateral” move, saying that it was not a demand of the Grand Consultative Jirga for Peace.

The release of Taliban prisoners was mentioned in the Peace Jirga’s 23-article resolution issued by almost 3,000 delegates from around Afghanistan after a five-day session in April. But a delegate of the Jirga, Gulalai Akbari, said the Jirga resolution mentions about “prisoners’ exchange” not the “releasing of prisoners through a unilateral move”.

On the closing day of the Jirga, Ghani said he will release 175 Taliban prisoners. Later on June 4, he said that he will release 887 prisoners – which according to reports most of them are Taliban inmates.

“We had 23 main recommendations to the government, but so far, we have not been consulted on those issues,” said Ziauddin Akazi, an MP, who also attended the peace Jirga.  

“Our demand from government we should put into practice whatever has been decided. The peace Jirga decision should be implemented,” said Hamida Ahmadzai, an MP. 

According to the Presidential Palace, efforts are underway to put into practice the peace Jirga recommendations. 

Malalai Shinwari, an advisor to President Ghani, said developments have been made on forming a negotiating team and issues around Taliban prisoners’ release.

“The prisoners’ release process has almost finished, but some efforts are underway on releasing some other members of the Taliban. It was a big work which should have been done. And the second thing was forming a 50-member team and the president is doing consultations on this issue,” said Shinwari.