Islamabad: Pakistan ordered the release of nearly 250 Afghans imprisoned in Pakistan for visa and other "minor" violations.

Prime Minister Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain made this announcement when the visiting Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai called on him in Islamabad.

Hussain ordered the release of the Afghan prisoners languishing in Pakistani jail for several years for committing "minor consular offences".

Official media reports said that Karzai for his part has agreed to transfer in the coming days some 400 Pakistani prisoners held in Afghanistan for taking part in 'Jehadi' activities there.

Afghanistan has released over 500 Pakistani prisoners so far.

Karzai is on a two-day visit and held talks with President Pervez Musharraf on bilateral issues including issues relating to trade and terrorism.