Pakistan has reportedly freed at least sixteen Taliban prisoners with the approval of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Pakistan has reportedly freed at least sixteen Taliban prisoners with the approval of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

They are not major commanders, but tribal men who were arrested during different search operations in South Waziristan over the last two to three years, the highest government official in the northwestern tribal region, Islam Zeb, told Reuters.

 The Pakistani Taliban called a one-month ceasefire on March 1.

However, the movement said this week they would not extend the truce because the government was not serious about meeting their demands, including releasing 800 prisoners the insurgent group describes as innocent family members.