Islamabad, February 27: A Pakistani court has asked the government not to hand over the Afghan Taliban leaders detained inside the country to any foreign country including the US or Afghanistan.
Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Khawaja Muhammad Sharif issued the order Friday after a Pakistan rights group filed a petition arguing that the Afghan Taliban leaders who have been arrested in Pakistan should be tried in the country.
The decree comes only one day after the Afghan president’s office said in a statement that Pakistan had agreed to hand over the five captured Taliban leaders in exchange for the return of Pakistani prisoners.
Among the detainees is Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar who is said to be second only to the Taliban supreme chief Mullah Omar.
On Wednesday, Pakistan said it would hand over detained top Taliban commander to the Afghan government after reviewing his case.
The American FBI chief also sought permission from Islamabad for the interrogation of Mullah Baradar.
US authorities have already asked Pakistan to extradite Baradar and other wanted militants to the United States.
Mullah Baradar was captured along with two aides, during a raid in the port city of Karachi earlier this month.
Afghan media have recently reported that Mullah Baradar has been at odds with Mullah Omar, the head of the Taliban.
——-Agencies