KABUL: Afghanistan wants Pakistan to free more Taliban detainees to help coax the group into negotiations to end the 11-year-old war.    

An Afghan official says Foreign Minister Zalmay Rasoul will ask Pakistan during a visit to Islamabad on Friday to release more Taliban prisoners to jumpstart the peace process.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss Rasoul's agenda.

Earlier this month, Pakistan released nine Taliban leaders in a move that Kabul said was a positive step toward finding a way to reconcile with the militants.

Afghan officials have long sought the release of the Taliban's former deputy leader, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar.

Baradar was captured in Pakistan in 2010 because he reportedly was having secret talks with the Afghans.