ISLAMABAD: The Taliban on Monday denied reports that Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, the co-founder of the Taliban movement, has been released from Pakistan’s custody.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson of the group, told Arab News that there is no credibility in the media reports. “Mullah Baradar has not been released. All these reports are untrue.”
On Monday, certain sections of the Pakistani media, quoting what they described as “reliable sources”, said that Mullah Baradar had been released from custody.
Reports of his release first surfaced after the meeting between US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and the political bureau of Taliban in Doha, Qatar.
Mullah Baradar — also known as Mullah Brother — was arrested by Pakistani security forces in Karachi in February 2010. He was the deputy of former Taliban supreme leader Mullah Mohammed Omar and was among four who had founded the group in 1994.
Taliban dismisses reports of co-founder’s release as ‘fake news’
Taliban dismisses reports of co-founder’s release as ‘fake news’
- Spokesperson says media piece lacks credibility
- Mullah Baradar was arrested by Pakistan security forces in 2010
Pakistan, Indonesia sign MoUs to expand cooperation as Islamabad seeks to ease trade imbalance
- Pakistan offers to send doctors and medical experts to support Indonesia’s expanding health needs
- Indonesian president highlights close foreign policy coordination with Pakistan, including on Gaza
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Indonesia signed seven memoranda of understanding on Tuesday to deepen cooperation in trade, education and health, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif saying Islamabad aimed to narrow a $4.5 billion bilateral trade imbalance heavily tilted in Jakarta’s favor.
The agreements were concluded during Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s two-day visit to Pakistan, his first trip to the country since taking office and the first by an Indonesian head of state in seven years.
Subianto, who arrived on Monday, held detailed talks with Sharif before the signing ceremony.
“Our discussion has been extremely productive,” Sharif said at a joint media appearance. “More than 90 percent of our current imports from Indonesia are palm oil. We have discussed how to take corrective measures to balance this through Pakistan’s agri-exports, IT-led initiatives and other areas.”
Sharif earlier noted Pakistan’s bilateral trade with Indonesia stood at around $4.5 billion, with the imbalance overwhelmingly in Jakarta’s favor.
Subianto thanked Pakistan for what he called an exceptionally warm welcome, noting his aircraft had been escorted by Pakistan Air Force JF-17 fighter jets.
He said the meeting had produced agreements across several fields, including trade, agriculture, education and science and technology.
The Indonesian president also welcomed Pakistan’s offer to help his country address critical shortages of medical professionals.
“Indonesia has vast needs for doctors, dentists and medical experts, and Pakistan’s support in this regard is strategic and critical,” he said.
Sharif noted Pakistan would be ready to send doctors, dentists and medical professors to assist Indonesia’s plans to expand its medical colleges and universities.
He added that Islamabad would “work closely and diligently” with Jakarta to achieve the targets set during the visit.
Subianto said both countries were also coordinating closely on foreign policy, particularly on developments in Gaza, and reaffirmed Indonesia’s support for a two-state solution.
He invited Sharif to visit Jakarta to deepen cooperation under the new agreements.
Pakistan and Indonesia marked the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, with both leaders saying the visit would help lift relations to what Sharif called “a much higher level” in trade, development and people-to-people links.
