Pakistan has not freed Afghan Taliban leader Baradar despite announcement: spokesman

Afghan Taliban said on Wednesday that their former deputy chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, has not been freed by Pakistan despite its official announcements.

Pakistan announced on September 21st that Mullah Baradar was released to help in the peace process.

Taliban, who had avoided comments over the past three weeks, confirmed on Wednesday for the first time and said that their leader has not been released.

“It is very sad that Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar is still in detention and we are deeply concerned at his deteriorated health condition,” the Taliban’s spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid said.

“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Baradar family and his sympathizers consider freedom as Baradar’s right and we want his immediate release on Islamic and humanitarian grounds,” the Taliban spokesman said in a statement, emailed to the media.

The Taliban spokesman said senior Pakistani government officials have formally announced Baradar’s release however “he has not yet been set free.”

“As senior Pakistani government officials have repeatedly announced his (Baradar’s) release, we seriously demand of Pakistani officials to clarify what they mean of release. They (Pakistani officials) should honour their commitment of Baradar’s release,” the Taliban spokesman said.

Afghan leaders were also not fully convinced at announcements from Pakistan Interior and Foreign Ministry officials on September 21st that Baradar has been released.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai Monday said at a news conference in Kabul that Mullah Baradarstill doe not enjoy complete freedom and hoped that Islamabad will give him opportunity to play role for peace in Afghanistan.

Karzai said Mullah Beradar was released from the detention facility he was detained in, however he knows the Taliban leader is not completely free to travel.

Suspicion grows as to why Pakistan has not allowed the Taliban leader to rejoin family in spite of official announcement of his release.

Some Afghan analysts are of the view that Pakistan is likely encouraging him to convince the Taliban leader to either hold talks with the Afghan government or join other former Taliban leaders for an alternate peace initiative.

“I think Baradar will be allowed to rejoin family once he is agreed to what Pakistan, President Karzai and the United States want him to do but this pressure tactics would not work,” Waheed Muzhdah told this correspondent.