Pakistan releases 9 Taliban leaders at Afghan govt. requestNovember 17, 2012 - 16:45 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Pakistani government has released nine leading members of the radical Islamist Taliban group at the request of the government of Afghanistan and the Afghan High Peace Council, RIA Novosti reported citing Pajhwok news agency. High Peace Council Chairman Salahuddin Rabbani, who was in the Pakistani capital Islamabad on a visit from, said the release could play a pivotal role in talks with the armed group toward a national reconciliation in Afghanistan. One of the three due to be released by Pakistan soon is Mullah Baradar, number two in the Taliban heirarchy after Mullah Omar, its leader. The released Taliban leaders will not be handed over to the Afghan government, Rabbani said, and they would be guaranteed safe passage and security and could go where they want to live together with their families. Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed the names of the Taliban leaders who supported the peace drive should be removed from the UN sanctions list, Rabbani added. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |