ISLAMABAD, March 17: Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul, Rustam Shah Mohammand, has urged the need to make arrangements to airlift released Pakistani prisoners from northern Afghanistan where the road paths have been closed due to snowfalls.

“The problem is that, Salang path has been closed because of snowfall. We shall make arrangements for aeroplane so that Pakistani planes come and airlift them from Mazar-i-Sharif”, the ambassador told BBC Radio.

He said the largest number of Pakistani prisoners is in Shibarghan in northern Afghanistan and they have received the decree of Afghan president for release.

The total number of prisoners being released by the Afghan authorities is more than 1,000 he said adding 583 of them are in Mazara-i-Sharif, 150 in Kabul and the rest in other areas.

Replying to a question he said all of these prisoners would be allowed to go to Pakistan. However they would have to undergo a screening before final release.

If they are involved in any case or have any link with the terrorist groups they would be tried accordingly, he added.

Asked how the prisoners could be released from outside Kabul where President Karzai’s orders are not fully implemented, he said: “We have contacts with every body, his orders will be implemented.”—APP