Pakistan releases top Afghan Taliban chief Abdul Ghani Baradar

Pakistan has released the most senior Afghan Taliban detainee Abdul Ghani Baradar, following President Hamid Karzai's request to help revive stalled negotiation with the militant outfit.

A spokesman for interior ministry, Omar Hamid, announced Baradar has been released, but denied to give details, Dawn reports.

However, the Taliban's spokesman in Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid said they have not received any official confirmation about Baradar's release.

Baradar fought the Soviet forces in the late 1980s and became one of the founding members of the Taliban movement after the militant group took over Kabul in 1996 after years of civil war.

Later, Baradar became a member of the so-called Quetta Shura, the movement's ruling council.

President Hamid Karzai welcomed Pakistan's initiative to end 12 years long war in the country.