The Afghan government and the Taliban are set to swap the first batch of their prisoners on Thursday, sources within the Afghan government said on Wednesday.  A three-member delegation from the Taliban arrived in Kabul on Tuesday to discuss the issue of the Taliban’s prisoners. This follows two meetings by video conference about the release. The move is expected to pave the way for the start of intra-Afghan talks.

Up to 100 Taliban prisoners will be swapped with 20 government forces, said the sources.

Reactions from the international community and Afghan politicians continue to pour in after the Afghan government this week announced the formation of a 21-member peace negotiating team chosen to participate in the intra-Afghan talks with the Taliban.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday welcomed the move by the Afghan government.