Jan. 16 (Bloomberg) -- Afghan President Hamid Karzai ordered the release of 49 Pakistani prisoners accused of fighting for the ousted Taliban regime, the British Broadcasting Corp. reported.

The prisoners, held in the capital, Kabul, were freed after a visit this week by Pakistan's Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali, who earlier ordered the release of some Afghan nationals serving terms in Pakistani prisons for immigration violations, the BBC reported.

The Pakistanis were deceived into fighting a holy war by Islamic extremists, the BBC said, citing Pakistan's deputy ambassador in Kabul, Abdel Hamid Afridi.

Thousands of Pakistanis traveled to Afghanistan to help defend the Taliban before the U.S. began its anti-terrorism campaign in October 2001. Most returned home after the regime collapsed. The Pakistani government says at least 500 of its nationals are still being held in prisons throughout Afghanistan, many in the northern city of Sheberghan, the BBC reported.

(British Broadcasting Corp. 1-16)

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Last Updated: January 15, 2004 17:46 EST