Pakistani officials have released 12 Taliban prisoners under a recently signed peace deal with Taliban in the troubled Swat Valley.
Following talks between representatives of the regional government of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and the pro-Taliban militants of the Tanzim Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi group in Swat valley, 12 Taliban prisoners were freed on Sunday, a Press TV correspondent reported.
"It was one of the demands of the Taliban. It was a goodwill gesture. We have fulfilled it and we hope now they will play their part for peace," Syed Mohammad Javed, Commissioner of Swat, said about the decision.
Provincial Information Minister, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, told reporters that the move was a signal to secure trust and prove the government's dedication to the peace process.
He added that violence has showed an 80 percent decrease since the signing of the controversial deal that compels the NWFP to implement strict Taliban style sharia laws in Swat Valley and surrounding areas.
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