Former Afghan Taliban deputy commander to be released: FO

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has agreed in principle to release former second-in-command for the Afghan Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry said on Tuesday.

A foreign news agency quoting Prime Minister’s adviser on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz reported that Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar will be released as soon as this month to help peace efforts in Afghanistan.

Aziz told the news agency that the timing for Baradar’s release was being discussed but he would not be handed over directly to Afghanistan and would instead be released straight into Pakistan.