The Government has released about 250 Taliban prisoners from Pul-e-Charkhi jail. All in hope of progress in reconciliation and peace talks with militants; it is a risky bet. The latest batch of 80 was released on Friday. About 400 would be released this week and over a thousand in coming months, according to officials.

Ministry of Defense official present on the occasion said they are certain the prisoners will help to bring peace in Afghanistan and will support the Government. Some members of the High Peace Council were also present.

After the recent agreement of transfer of prisoners from the previously American-controlled Bagram to Afghan officials, the Government is on a prisoner-release spree. Within few months, the process seems to lack any solid background check and assurance that those released will not go back to the battlefield with insurgents or become suicide bombers.

Given the experience in past under the same efforts of peace talks and reconciliation, almost all of those released went back to the front lines of insurgency including many commanders. It would be a reasonable move if there were serious assurances from militant sides or families of the prisoners that they would not end up with arms fighting against Afghan National Security Forces. But with the current process, it is a risky bet which may unlikely result in the good hope of peace and reconciliation they have been released.

After taking oath in 2009, President Karzai ordered the process to evaluate and release Taliban prisoners. Hundreds were released later. Among them were many militant commanders who joined back the insurgency.

One of the notorious commanders is Mullah Abdul QayomZakir who now leads Taliban's military front. Others included Mullah Murtaza, Mullah Rahmatullah alias Ezat and Mullah Juma Khan alias Ghaznayeewho joined insurgency in Helmand.

In fact many of the suicide bombers in recent attacks of 2012 have been formed prisoners. The last Taliban high profile attack targeting intelligence Chief Asadullah Khalid was also reportedly a former Taliban prisoner released in the hopes of peace talks.

The Government must ensure a careful process of screening and background check and other assurance. Those released should be kept under intelligence surveillance not to join back the battlefield.