Taliban officials told Arab News that Baradar, the former Taliban deputy chief, had “rejoined his family” after he was freed in Islamabad ISLAMABAD: The Afghan Taliban confirmed on Wednesday that Pakistan had released their senior leader, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who was captured in a joint operation by American and Pakistani intelligence officials in the port city of Karachi in 2010. Taliban officials told Arab News that Baradar, the former Taliban deputy chief, had “rejoined his family” after he was freed in Islamabad. Another Taliban leader, Abdul Samad, was also released along with Baradar, they said. Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Faisal did not reply to a query posted on his WhatsApp about the release of the Taliban leader. The Taliban officials did not comment on why Pakistan had freed the Taliban leaders now. However, some Taliban sources told Arab News that the release of the Taliban was one of the issues discussed in two meetings between the American officials and the Taliban representatives in Qatar. “The Islamic Emirate has always called for the release of prisoners, removal of the names of our leaders from the UN Security Council’s sanctions list and the opening of the office in Qatar before the beginning of the official negotiations with the United States,” a Taliban official said. He didn"t want to be identified by name as he was not allowed to speak on the record. The release of Baradar, who still enjoys widespread respect among the Taliban leaders because of his association with the mujahideen commander Mullah Omar, will be a morale boost for the Afghan insurgents at a time when they have stepped up attacks and opened direct talks with the US. Taliban officials who have worked with Baradar say Mullah Omar had once told the Taliban leaders that Baradar would replace him after his death. Omar had appointed him as deputy chief. Pakistan freed about 40 Afghan Taliban leaders in 2013 and early 2014 on the request by then Afghan President Hamid Karzai to encourage them join the peace process. However, none of the freed Taliban had joined the reconciliation with the Afghan government. Mullah Baradar was not released that time, apparently on the plea that he was detained jointly by the Americans and Pakistanis and the US consent was also required. Earlier this week, Taliban spokesmen Zabihullah Mujahid told Arab News that the media reports of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar release were untrue.