Afghan peace negotiators arrive in Islamabad

Afghan peace negotiators have arrived in Islamabad to meet senior Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, officials and diplomatic sources said Wednesday.

The delegation, led by chairman of the Afghan High Council Syed Salahuddin Rabbani, arrived in Islamabad in a special plane Tuesday, reported Xinhua citing the sources. The officials, however, refused to comment if the peace council's members have met Mullah Baradar.

"The delegation held some meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday and extended visit for another day on Thursday," a diplomatic source said.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had agreed to a request by Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the trilateral summit hosted by British Prime Minister David Cameron in London last month to allow members of the High Peace Council to meet Baradar, Afghan officials had stated earlier.

Pakistan had announced in September the release of Mullah Baradar to facilitate the Afghan peace process. However, the Afghan Taliban and Baradar's family sources say he has not rejoined family.

Karzai had welcomed Baradar's release and always insisted for complete freedom for him and his specific address for a direct access of the peace council to the Taliban leader.