Pakistan Frees 8 Taliban Prisoners

Hopes to kick-start peace process with Afghanistan

Afghan officials say Pakistan has freed eight Taliban prisoners and has agreed to release many more to help kick start a peace process that could lead to a political resolution of the 11-year-old Afghan war.

The decision to release the prisoners, including the former minister of justice under the Taliban's repressive regime in Afghanistan, is seen as a sign that neighboring Pakistan might be willing to take concrete steps to revive efforts to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table.