Pakistan released the Taliban's second in command, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, on Saturday.
The release was welcomed by Afghanistan who believe Baradar capable of encouraging Taliban leaders to engage in talks and have requested that Pakistan allow Baradar to come to Afghanistan - a request that Pakistan has denied.
A spokesperson for Afghan President Hamid Karzai said,
The release was welcomed by Afghanistan who believe Baradar capable of encouraging Taliban leaders to engage in talks and have requested that Pakistan allow Baradar to come to Afghanistan - a request that Pakistan has denied.
A spokesperson for Afghan President Hamid Karzai said,
"The Afghan government welcomes Pakistan's decision to release Mullah Baradar,"Earlier this month, a high-ranking Pakistan general was killed in a roadside bomb attack that the Taliban claimed responsibility for. The bomb came as the Pakistani Taliban set conditions for talks, including that the Pakistani government release Taliban prisoners and begin withdrawing its troops from the tribal region on the Afghan border.
"This release has occurred because of the Afghan government's consistent pressure requesting that Mullah Baradar be set free."
"We hope that Mullah Baradar decides to come to Afghanistan."