Pakistan releases seven low-ranking Afghan Taliban prisoners

Taliban insisted that Mullah Baradar has not yet been allowed to rejoin family despite repeated claims by Pakistan.


Tahir Khan October 15, 2013
This is the second group of the Taliban Pakistan has freed in less than two months. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has quietly freed seven more low-ranking Afghan Taliban prisoners, who have rejoined their families, two Taliban officials and sources close to families of some of the freed Taliban said on Tuesday.

They also told The Express Tribune that officials have allowed the Taliban second-in-command, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, to speak to his family members twice over the past two days.

“I can confirm that seven more low-ranking Taliban detainees have been released and they have rejoined their families,” a Taliban official said on condition of anonymity.

Another Taliban official also confirmed the release but declined to disclose their names.

The government did not issue any statement about the release of the new group of the Taliban detainees.

This is the second group of the Taliban freed in less than two months.

On September 7, Pakistan announced the release of seven Taliban figures including senior commander Mansoor Dadullah. However, Taliban sources said that Mansoor Dadullah has not yet been allowed to rejoin his family.

Pakistan has released nearly 40 Afghan Taliban prisoners over what it says are request from the Afghan government to facilitate the peace process.

Afghan officials however say that none of the freed Taliban have joined the reconciliation process, yet.

Taliban sources Tuesday again insisted that Mullah Baradar has not yet been allowed to rejoin his family despite repeated claims by Pakistan.

A Taliban official told The Express Tribune that Mullah Baradar was allowed on Monday and Tuesday to speak to his family members by the phone.

“Mullah Baradar family members were happy over the frequent telephone contacts that he will be allowed to rejoin them during Eid,” he said, requesting not to be identified as he is not allowed to speak to the media.

Pakistan had announced that Baradar was freed on September 21, however, Taliban claim he has not yet been freed.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai said last week that Baradar still does not enjoy complete freedom and expressed his hope that Islamabad will give him the opportunity to play a role for peace in Afghanistan.

COMMENTS (16)

Zeeshan | 10 years ago | Reply

@Khalad

buddy you said they`ll not enjoy the real freedom if they do not cooperate with Pakistani govt for your good information they are attacking on your army on your minorities and active in balochistan and waziristan still continuing their mission however Paksitan has already been released 40 Talibans and this is another term to release them so what is the main problem you are not understanding ,focus on what they want from Pakistan so dialogue is necessary. as i told earlier . for your second question that why Pakistan is not handing over Taliban to Afghanistan so buddy listen Afghanistan is not sovereign and is under the control of NATO and recently when Pakistan is releasing Taliban they have captured one of the Taliban leader Latif Mehsud who is also the negotiator from Taliban so handing over Taliban to Afghanistan mean giving taliban directly to American and NATO forces who will again capture them now go and do your home work budyyyy.

Khalad | 10 years ago | Reply

@Zeeshan

I didnt think you are that naive not to know that they are released but FOR the INTEREST of pakistan. Somehow they are still used by pakistan army and if they refused to cooperate they will not enjoy the real freedom. Now can you tell me why they are not handed over to Afghan Governemnt who will negotiate with them for peace... ??? go do your home work buddy dont write poem here

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