KABUL, May 18: Afghanistan said on Saturday it hopes Pakistan will soon make good on a pledge to release all Afghans held in jails, saying it would improve relations between the two countries.

Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali made the pledge on Wednesday in Islamabad after talks with Afghanistan’s Minister for Overseas Afghans Haji Mangal Hussain.

The Afghan Foreign Affairs Ministry said that the issue of Afghans held in Pakistani jails — mainly for lack of proper documentation and minor offences — had been discussed between the two countries several times in the last 18 months.

“The latest decision taken in Islamabad will further boost friendly ties between the two neighbouring nations and have a positive impact on overall bilateral relations,” the ministry said in a statement, and added that it “hopes for a speedy implementation of the prime minister’s decision”.

Last month, Pakistan freed 50 Afghans ahead of a visit by President Hamid Karzai.—APP