Afghan Taliban militants and villagers attend a gathering as they celebrate the peace deal in Alingar district of Laghman Province on March 2, 2020. (Photo: AFP)

The government will “release 1,500 Taliban prisoners as a gesture of goodwill” starting on Saturday, with another 3,500 to be freed after negotiations begin, spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said on Twitter, adding that the agreement will depend on the Taliban’s willingness to significantly limit attacks in Afghanistan.    

Although the Taliban were due to begin talks with Kabul on Tuesday, negotiations were delayed because the insurgents demanded a prisoner exchange as a prerequisite. President Ghani had refused, but Wednesday’s decree signaled a softening of his stance, with the provision that none of the released prisoners would return to the front lines.