KABUL: A former Afghan minister, who fledas the Taliban took over Afghanistan last year, returned onWednesday, officials said, following security assurances givenas part of the hardline group’s initiative to woo backhigh-profile individuals.

Ghulam Farooq Wardak, a member of the cabinets of formerpresidents Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani, is the latest in astring of returning officials, said Taliban officials looking toshore up a government yet to win international recognition.

Wardak had returned from Turkey, said Ahmad Wasiq, thespokesman of a body set up by the Taliban to negotiate thereturn of high-profile Afghans abroad.

Other officials to return included a former spokesman forthe defence ministry, the former head of Afghanistan’s nationalpower company, and some military officials, he told Reuters.

While Reuters could not immediately verify the return of theothers, Wardak spoke to state-run media after landing inAfghanistan.

“Most authorities are thinking about returning,” the formereducation minister said, adding that he felt respect andhappiness in his home, although he cautioned that a small groupmight not want to come back.

Most high-profile officials fled Afghanistan as the Talibantook over last August, including Ghani, the president at thetime, who is now in the United Arab Emirates. Karzai remains inKabul, the capital.

The Taliban set up the high-powered panel to negotiate thereturns a few weeks ago, with nine members, including theintelligence and military chiefs.

It has the power to ensure amnesty, and provide security toreturning officials, as well as ensuring work in the privatesector.

Since last year, former government personalities, especiallysecurity officials have faced reprisals nationwide, sayinternational bodies and media.

The Taliban say such attacks were unauthorised, with actiontaken for breaches of a general amnesty order.