Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been appointed as the head of Taliban’s political office in Qatar, the Taliban group announced late on Thursday.

The group in a statement said “In accordance with the decree issued by the Leader of Islamic Emirate, the esteemed Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar has been appointed as the deputy of the Leader in Political Affairs and the chief of the Political Office of the Islamic Emirate.”

The statement further added “This step has been taken to strengthen and properly handle the ongoing negotiations process with the United States.”

Mullah Baradar was released from the prison in Pakistan late in the month of October last year.

The Afghan officials had earlier said that Mullah Baradar could play a key role in Afghan peace process.

In the meantime, the Taliban group statement added that multiple changes have also taken place in the military and civilian departments of the group besides the appointment of Mullah Baradar as the head of the group’s political office in Qatar.