Kabul [Afghanistan] : The US will be releasing two prisoners from Guantanamo Bay including the only Afghan left in the jail, Asadullah Haroongul. US Defense Ministry said that the pardon verdict of Haroongul (40) reads that he was not leading terrorist groups and has now shown remorse for what he did in the past, reported Khaama Press. Haroongul is also known as Haroon Al-Afghani and was arrested in 2007 accused of leading terrorist groups. Haroon Al-Afghani was rumoured to be suffering from serious depression last year. The second prisoner who is going to be released is a Yemeni citizen by the name of Sanadi Salaam Al-Kazimi, reported Khaama Press.
PIA country manager held hostage by Taliban for 2 hours
Kabul [Afghanistan] : Taliban on Thursday held Pakistan International Airline (PIA) country manager hostage for two hours. According to sources, the country manager was released following the intervention of senior officials, including the defence attache, reported 24NEWS HD TV. PIA country manager was held hostage on exit from Pakistani embassy, sources confirmed. The country manager was held hostage over the Afghan visa issue, sources said. Earlier, Pakistan International Airline (PIA) has suspended the flight operation to Afghanistan on Thursday. The special flight operation to Afghanistan has been suspended indefinitely due to unsatisfactory travel and technical measures at Kabul airport, reported 24NEWS HD TV. Flight operation for Kabul will be suspended till further orders, said a spokesperson of PIA. Moreover, the Taliban warned PIA and Afghanistan’s Kam Air to reduce the fares of Kabul to Islamabad flights or they would be banned from landing in Afghanistan. “Pakistan’s PIA and Afghanistan’s Kam Air will be banned to conduct flights from Kabul to Islamabad if they do not charge the same price as they did prior to their takeover,” Khaama Press reported citing Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation Administration statement. The statement said: “Airlines will be fined and punished if they violate the rules.” The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan warned the Airlines after PIA started charging up to USD 2,500 for each ticket from Kabul to Islamabad, the publication reported.
