Afghan peace delegation can meet Taliban leader: Pakistan

Fatemi told reporters in Islamabad that Mullah Baradar was freed on the request of President Karzai to promote peace process.


In response to the claim of the Taliban and friends of Baradar that the Taliban leader has not yet rejoined family, Fatemi said that Pakistan would not hand over Mullah Baradar to any one and he is free to go anywhere.

Pakistan is providing security to him to ensure that he is not harmed, he said.

"Pakistan is prepared to take all possible measures to promote peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan," he said, adding that his country freed Afghan Taliban prisoners in order to facilitate the reconciliation process.

Fatemi said it would be in the interest of both Afghanistan and Pakistan if the Afghan government and Taliban reach an understanding before the withdrawal of foreign troops from the war- ridden country in 2014.