ISLAMABAD, (DNA) – Pakistan on Sunday released deputy chief of Afghan Taliban Mullah Abdul Ghani.

The news was shared by Pakistan’s envoy to Kabul.

He further stated that Mullah Abdul Samad Sani has also been released. Sources privy to security apparatus told our correspondent that both commanders were released on the request furnished by U.S. special representative for Aghanistan.

The Taliban’s co-founder and former second-in-command, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, was released after high-level negotiations, according to Taliban.

Baradar is one of four men, including Mullah Omar, who founded the Taliban movement in 1994. He served in several key positions when the Taliban ruled Afghanistan from 1996-2001.

Ghani was arrested from Karachi back then in 2010.