Pakistan frees Taliban deputy leader Baradar to aid peace talks
Pakistan released Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar after years in detention as Islamabad seeks to help revive Afghanistan’s peace process. U.S. officials oppose the move, warning Baradar could return to the battlefield, while Afghan officials urge access to him for negotiations. Baradar’s release follows Pakistan’s broader prisoner releases at Kabul’s request, though past releases have not yielded clear progress.