The Afghan Taliban stated that its second-in-command, Mullah Baradar, has not been freed by Pakistan as promised.
Pakistan announced last month that Baradar had been freed, yet on Wednesday a Taliban spokesman said he remains in a Pakistani prison with worsening health. Baradar has been seen as a key factor in helping restart stalled peace talks between the government of Afghanistan and the Afghan Taliban.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Monday that Baradar's freedom is still restricted and that his government is trying to get in touch with the jailed leader.
Baradar was a founder of the Taliban insurgency and a close associate of its reclusive chief Mullah Mohammad Omar. He held key military and political posts when the Taliban was in control of Afghanistan, from 1996 to 2001.
Pakistan announced last month that Baradar had been freed, yet on Wednesday a Taliban spokesman said he remains in a Pakistani prison with worsening health. Baradar has been seen as a key factor in helping restart stalled peace talks between the government of Afghanistan and the Afghan Taliban.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai said on Monday that Baradar's freedom is still restricted and that his government is trying to get in touch with the jailed leader.
Baradar was a founder of the Taliban insurgency and a close associate of its reclusive chief Mullah Mohammad Omar. He held key military and political posts when the Taliban was in control of Afghanistan, from 1996 to 2001.
