Pak frees Taliban top leader

Pakistani television reported Baradar had been set free.

Pakistan on Saturday released former Taliban second-in-command Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar,a man Afghanistan believes could help tempt moderate Taliban leaders to the negotiating table and bring peace after more than a decade of war.

Pakistans foreign ministry announced late Friday that Baradar – one of the founders of the Taliban insurgency would be released a day later,and on Saturday,Pakistani television reported Baradar had been set free.

There was no official confirmation of his whereabouts.

The Afghan government welcomes Pakistans decision to release Mullah Baradar, said Aimal Faizi,a spokesman for Afghan President Hamid Karzai. This release has occurred because of the Afghan governments consistent pressure requesting that Mullah Baradar be set free, he said.

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Baradar is at the heart of Afghan efforts to kickstart a stalled peace process as US- led troops prepare to pull out at the end of next year. Baradar was once a close friend of the reclusive Taliban leader,Mullah Omar,who gave him his nom de guerre,Baradar or brother.

Known as a pragmatic operator,he is believed to be willing to play role of a peace ambassador,having once reached out to Kabul to seek a peace settlement.