Pakistan groups Taliban in Black, Grey and White categories

Peshawar, Mar. 7 (ANI): The Pakistan Government has classified the Taliban into three categories black, gray and white.

The police investigation manual sees black and gray categories of Taliban prisoners as a serious threat to national security, while the 'white category' Talibanis are not considered very harmful.

On Friday, NWEF Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti announced that the only 'white category Taliban prisoners' would be released as part of the peace deal in Swat.

"I have directed the home secretary to look into the cases of those prisoners who are in the white category. We will not free prisoners in black and gray categories," the Daily Times quoted Hoti, as saying.

Under the Sharia-deal, Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Sufi Muhammad had demanded the release of all Taliban prisoners arrested during military operations in Swat.

Sources claimed that The NWFP government's 'peace envoy' Afrasiab Khattak and Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain would hold meetings with Mingora's district administration to sort out the issue of the Taliban prisoners.

The draft of the sharia deal (Nizam-e-Adl) is expected to be approved by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari within a few days.

"In the next few days it will be sent to the (NWFP) governor who will forward to President Zardari. The president has to sign it. It is just a formality," he said. (ANI)