LAHORE, Oct 16: Sixteen Pakistanis released by Afghan authorities were set free from the Kot Lakhpat Jail here on Wednesday.

Jail authorities identified them as Rana Nadeem Farooq of Bahawalpur, Muhammad Shakeel (Bahawalnagar), Ubaidullah Anwar, Muhammad Younus Muavia (Layyah), Asghar Ali (Mandi Bahauddin), Muhammad Wasim, Mazhar Iqbal (Faisalabad), Attaur Rehman, Muhammad Abu Bakar (Muzaffargarh), Muhammad Ziaul Haq Shah (Sargodha), Ghulam Farid, Ghulam Nabi, Muhammad Ahmad (Sahiwal), Shahid Zahir, Muhammad Kabir, Tala Gang and Liaquat Ali (Jhang).

They had reportedly left for Afghanistan to join Taliban in October last.

Governor’s adviser on religious affairs Tahir Ashrafi hosted a reception in their honour at his office.

Ashrafi reportedly advised them to refrain from such activities in future.