LAHORE, Pakistan - Pakistan released 17 men on Monday who had been freed from the US prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba only to be detained on their return home, an official said. The men returned to Pakistan nine months ago following detention at the US facility for terror suspects, said Tahir Ashrafi, a religious affairs adviser for the government in the eastern Punjab province.âThese are people who have been declared innocent by America. Our (intelligence) agencies have thoroughly interrogated them,â Ashrafi told reporters outside the Kot Lakhpat jail. âThey have not been found to be involved in any kind of terrorist activity.â He said the men had âfurnished surety bonds that they will maintain good behavior and will not be involved in any anti-state activities.â
Hundreds of Pakistanis went to Afghanistan to fight alongside the Taleban militia against the United States. After the US military operation ousted the Taleban from power in late 2001, many Pakistanis were jailed in Afghanistan, and some were sent to Guantanamo. Since September 2004, some 35 Pakistanis have been freed from Guantanamo.