Pakistan expresses hope that more Pakistani fighters captured during the anti-terrorism war in Afghanistan will be released from U.S. custody, as they have no ties to the terrorist network al-Qaeda. Aziz Ahmad, spokesperson for the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, stated that approximately 58 Pakistanis are currently detained at the U.S. Navy base in Guantanamo. Nearly 600 individuals are imprisoned there on suspicion of connections to the Taliban or al-Qaeda. Last month, Moinuddin Haider, Pakistan's Interior Minister, advised a senior U.S. diplomat visiting Pakistan to release 55 of the 58 Pakistani detainees. U.S. officials have not commented on this matter.
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Pakistan Calls for Release of Pakistani Detainees in Guantanamo - 2002-09-02
Feb 12, 2026
February 12, 2026
1 min read
📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway
Pakistan is urging the United States to release Pakistani detainees held in Guantanamo, claiming they are not linked to terrorism. The call comes amid ongoing concerns about the treatment of detainees and the broader implications for U.S.-Pakistan relations.
🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line:
Pakistan is pressing the U.S. for the release of its citizens detained in Guantanamo, which could impact diplomatic relations and human rights discussions.
👥 Key Players
Aziz Ahmad
MENTIONED
Spokesperson for the Pakistani Foreign Ministry
"Represents Pakistan's official stance on the treatment of its citizens detained abroad."
Moinuddin Haider
MENTIONED
Pakistan's Interior Minister
"Influential in shaping domestic and foreign policy regarding security and counter-terrorism."
U.S. Government
MENTIONED
Custodian of detainees at Guantanamo Bay
"Holds significant power in international relations and the treatment of detainees."
📰 What Happened
Pakistan has called for the release of approximately 58 Pakistani detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, asserting that they have no ties to terrorism. This request follows a diplomatic interaction where Pakistan's Interior Minister urged the U.S. to release these individuals.
- Approximately 58 Pakistanis are currently detained at Guantanamo Bay.
- Nearly 600 individuals are held there on suspicion of links to the Taliban or al-Qaeda.
💡 Why It Matters
🇮🇷 For Iran: This situation highlights Iran's concerns about U.S. actions in the region and the treatment of Muslim detainees, which could influence Iran's narrative against the U.S.
🌍 Regional: The call for release reflects broader tensions in U.S.-Pakistan relations and may affect regional stability and counter-terrorism cooperation.
🌐 International: Internationally, this raises questions about human rights and the legal status of detainees held by the U.S. in the war on terror.
📚 Background
Following the September 11 attacks, the U.S. launched a military campaign in Afghanistan, leading to the detention of individuals suspected of terrorism. Guantanamo Bay became a controversial detention center for these individuals.
U.S.-Pakistan relations
Counter-terrorism efforts
📡 Source:
NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence:
70%
The article presents official statements from the Pakistani government, which can be considered a reliable source for understanding their diplomatic stance.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
🌐
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%
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