Afghanistan has released 66 Pakistani prisoners, who had been in Afghan jails since the American forces launched military operations in Afghanistan in 2001, Pakistan TV reported Sunday.

While reciprocating the gesture, Pakistan freed 34 Afghan prisoners, said the report without mentioning when the prisoners were released.

The Afghan government has agreed in principle to free all Pakistani prisoners but the release was delayed after the United States raised objections.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri told the Senate Friday that there are still more than 500 Pakistani prisoners in Afghan jails.

He said the US government has now withdrawn its objection and arrangements are underway for the release of the rest of prisoners.

Thousands of Pakistanis crossed into Afghanistan in late 2001 to join Taliban in fight against the American forces.

Some of the Pakistani prisoners were later shifted to the US detention facility in Guantanamo Bay. Pakistani officials said there are about 40 Pakistani prisoners there.

Source: Xinhua