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Mullah Baradar’s release fulfils Afghan demand, says US
WASHINGTON: Founding Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar’s release is the fulfilment of a long-standing Kabul demand, says the US State Department, as diplomatic circles in Washington see this as opening new possibilities for improvement in US-Pakistan relations as well.
“We are aware of the reports and would refer you to the Pakistani authorities and to the Afghan government, which has repeatedly asked for his release to help facilitate a peace process,” said a US State Department spokesperson when contacted by Dawn for the confirmation of Mullah Baradar’s release.
On Thursday, Afghan Taliban confirmed media reports that Pakistani authorities had released their former deputy chief and that they “made no compromise” to get him out.
Mullah Baradar co-founded the Taliban movement with Mullah Omar and was a prominent member of the Taliban government before it was toppled in October 2001.
He was the most high-profile Taliban leader in Pakistan’s custody and was arrested in February 2010 in a joint ISI and CIA operation. Mullah Baradar’s release came less than two weeks after special US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met Taliban representatives in Doha, Qatar, to discuss various options for ending the Afghan conflict.
Reports in the US media suggested that Mullah Baradar was among several senior Taliban leaders freed this week, after the Taliban demanded their release in direct talks with Mr Khalilzad on Oct 12.
Reports originating in Kabul suggested that Mullah Baradar would stay in Pakistan and shuttle between the Taliban’s Doha office, Kabul and Islamabad.
A Taliban official told reporters in Doha that his release would further enhance the US-led effort for negotiating a peace deal with the Taliban in Doha where American officials have already held two rounds of talks with the Afghan rebels.
US media reports also noted that Mullah Baradar’s release followed the election of Prime Minister Imran Khan, who has long advocated talks with the Taliban as the only viable option for ending the 18-year-long war in Afghanistan.
During a visit to Washington early this month, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also pledged support to the US move to engage the Taliban.
Diplomatic sources told Dawn that Pakistan came close to releasing Mullah Baradar in 2012-13 as well, when the Taliban’s Doha office became operational. Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai, however, strongly opposed the decision to set up a Taliban office in Doha, arguing that it amounted to granting diplomatic recognition to the movement. This also squandered the move to involve Mullah Baradar in peace negotiations.
During the same period, Pakistan agreed to allow a representative of the Kabul government to meet Mullah Baradar in prison but the Taliban leader refused to see the envoy.
“Yet, the Afghan government continued to urge Pakistan to release Mullah Baradar in almost every meeting they had with Pakistan,” a diplomatic source told Dawn. “They believe he can play a key role in bringing peace to Afghanistan,” the source added.
Published in Dawn, October 27th , 2018
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Comments (21) Closed
Its not Talibans war, its a ghost war, everyone knows. Convincing the ghosts is the job of cheaf ghost. Thats it.
Another failed negotiation, I'd say. A blunder and a defeat some would call it. And so it goes.
Talibans have no social and political legitimacy among Pashtuns in either country..they are a self-defeating proxy force
US should be so greatful to Pakistan for it's help in Afghanistan. Now US needs to do more in resolution of Kashmir.
Now the US should not kill him like they did the previous one, otherwise they will have no one to negotiate with
@Mountain boy then why the negotiations? negotiations are happening because force has failed to exterminate them.
@Mountain boy Are you a pashtun?
Afghans will make many more demands.
Pakistanis do not trust the US Government of Trump. Will wait for the change in US government.,
Pakistan can play an important part in peace negotiations.
Another proof that Pakistan is a hindered to the peace process. What hold him for eight years against the wishes of Afghani people?
@Zak this guy, whomever he is, has nothing to do with your country...nuff said!
@Tamilselvan dude, read the news again. You should read the news before making senseless comments.
Accepting US and Afghan government's request, Pakistan has released Mullah Baradar so this can help peace process. The US military's 17 year war has "failed" in Afghanistan. The only way to achieve peace, is through negotiations with all Afghan groups, including Taliban, to form their own government according to their religion, culture, traditions and way of life. This can't be imposed by the US or any other country.
@murli negotiations is a farce long orchestrated.
Us defeat is well deserved.
@Mountain boy They have not surrendered despite all odds. Brave potent Gazis fighting evil on all sides.
@Ali the step is in right direction but some elements point to client service relationship rather than respected equal partners
It may seem hard to believe, but Trump may be the greatest Trump card for global peace. Trump is engaging with adversaries and with countries with which its relations had gone sour and is surprisingly gaining positive results.
@Tamilselvan te US wanted him held
@Mountain boy or may be a tool for some.