JNN 17.10.10 Pakistan has freed a top Taliban commander in Afghanistan, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who can play a major role in secret talks with the US through the Pakistani army.

Asia Times Online said on Friday that Mullah Abdul will likely take part in back-channel negotiations with the United States as he has represented the Taliban leadership in previous talks with Washington.

Mullah Abdul’s release, who was arrested in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi in February, was confirmed by a senior Pakistani counter-terrorism official.

The Pakistani official added that the United States was fully aware of the development, but did not elaborate on Washington’s reaction.

Mullah Abdul is believed to be top Taliban leader Mullah Omar’s right-hand man.