Pak govt to ask Taliban for release of ANP leader

Islamabad: Awami National Party (ANP) leader Arbab Zahir Kasi’s name should also be included in the list of people the Taliban shura is releasing, a media report said Tuesday. Political and religious leaders have urged the committees representing the Pakistan government at a press conference Monday to demand the release of ANP provincial president Arbab Zahir Kasi along with Ali Haider Gilani, son of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Shahbaz Taseer, son of slain governor of Punjab Salmaan Taseer, and Ajmal Khan, Dawn online reported. [caption id=“attachment_1470839” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. Reuters[/caption] A delegation of leaders from different political and religious parties would take up the issue with President Mamnoon Hussain during his visit to Quetta Wednesday. Kasi was kidnapped at gunpoint from Quetta Oct 23 last year. The government released 19 non-combatant TTP prisoners earlier this month as part of an ongoing peace initiative. IANS