Former Afghan Taliban commander Abdul Ghani Baradar. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
The whereabouts of Mullah Baradar has been the source of intense speculation since Pakistan announced his release on September 20. Pakistani sources say he is still kept in a safe house and is closely watched by his Pakistani handlers.
Afghanistan believes Baradar, who was once a close friend of the reclusive Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar, has enough clout to persuade the Taliban to make peace, but his prolonged stay in Pakistan may have marred his reputation among fighters.
"Mullah Baradar is still under strict supervision," said Aimal Faizi, a spokesperson for Afghan President Hamid Karzai, which Afghanistan believes is the reason why the Taliban leadership may have kept scant contact with Baradar.
"We will be seeking an explanation from Pakistan on the whereabouts of Mullah Baradar and how Pakistan can facilitate direct talks between him and the High Peace Council."
Karzai formed the High Peace Council in 2010 to seek a negotiated end to the insurgency the Taliban have waged since being forced from power in 2001 by a US-led invasion.
Faizi said Karzai would raise the issue when he meets Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in London next week for a summit hosted by Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron.
"The High Peace Council is in touch with Mullah Baradar's family, not himself, unfortunately," Faizi said. "This is what we are seeking. All we know is that his family members were able to contact him, but the High Peace Council itself hasn't yet reached Mullah Baradar."
Afghanistan is trying to inject life into attempts to negotiate peace as most US-led NATO combat troops prepare to pull out by the end of 2014.
Baradar, who was captured in Karachi in 2010, is seen as a pragmatic negotiator who reached out to Kabul with a peace initiative before his detention.
The Afghan Taliban say Baradar effectively remains under arrest and that his health has deteriorated.
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@shah zaman: No, you are an Indian Hindu. Don't pretend to be a Pukhtoon and Muslim.
Mr. Mullah Baradar is one individual, Pakistan needs to demand Mr. Karzai must create conditions in his country so 3.5-4 million refugees go back to their home country Afghanistan. Hospitality n brother hood spirit has crossed all limits. If Mr. Karzai cannot create peaceful situation/conditions for refugees to back than at least Mr. Karzai can ask his beloved Indian friend Mr. Singh or Cheif of RAW to find create accommodation for these refugees in India.
@bakhtiar ghazi khan,
you call yourself pakhtun? have you ever heard of pakhtunwali? if you promise one thing then you should do that and don't play games. Pakistan said they will release them, more than a month ago and we heard he is released through the media but now we know that he is being used by the isi for their benefits. How can a pakhtun l approve this sort of dishonest action with another pakhtun? either you are not a pakhtun or you are so brain washed no to understand who is playing with our peoples destiny. please show some courage and ask about all these hypocrite policy of your government. i think if we as pakhtuns don't respect our own values and people no one else will give us that respect.
Indians, get a life. Let Pakistanis and Afghans worry about our issues, no need for your ridiculous commentary.
osama bin laden
Why don't the Afghans understand that Pakistan cannot release Mulla Baradar. Yes he may vanish if the ISI feels the heat or it it feels it is more convenient. ISI had tried to coerce and convince Mulla Baradar for a long time to side with them to destroy Afghanistan. They may have even offered him a part of Afghanistan to rule. If he is released and set free, he would give out all these details to Afghans.
Again you can see the evil face of ISI and hypocrite pakistani Generals. They are involved in all this talibanisation and militancy in both afghanistan and India as well as KPK and they are the ones killing Baloch in broad day light and they are the ones behind missing persons and mutilated bodies found in Baluchistan.
Afghanistan, you dont really think Pakistan is for peace do you?
wasn't he released a month ago?