A complete ceasefire had been reached between the government and the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry revealed on Monday, which was aired by state-run Pakistan Television (PTV).
The minister stated that talks between the government and the TTP were in the pipeline, and in line with the Constitution. He added that the ceasefire would be extended keeping in view the progress of the talks.
The minister said progress on the restoration of “complete peace” in these areas of the country was a positive development.
“The state’s sovereignty, national security, peace in relevant areas and social and economic stability will be considered during the talks,” he stated, while adding that that the interim Afghan government had facilitated the negotiations.
The development comes after a month of Prime Minister Imran Khan stating that the government was in talks with some TTP groups, seeking a reconciliation.
The premier had said during an interview that “There are different groups which form the TTP and some of them want to talk to our government for peace. So, we are in talks with them. It’s a reconciliation process.”
As per the sources, the government had reached a tentative understanding with the TLP, earlier this month to seek a broader peace agreement to end nearly two decades of militancy in the country.
Sources further revealed that the “direct, face-to-face” talks between the two sides being held in Afghanistan’s south-western Khost province for nearly two weeks had resulted in a tentative understanding to declare a countrywide truce, conditional to the release of some TTP foot soldiers as part of confidence-building measures.
“These are foot soldiers, not senior or mid-level commanders,” the sources said. “We are testing the ground. We are cautious,” they had added. However, it was not immediately clear how many militants in Pakistan’s custody would be allowed to go free, but sources had said the number was not more than two dozen people.
“The truce will come into effect once the prisoners are released,” and that “the tentative month-long truce shall be extendable, depending on how these negotiations go forward,” sources stated.
“Talks are being held directly between senior officers and senior TTP leadership. The TTP includes all groups without exception,” the source had added. “There are several proposals on the table and both sides are working to hammer out a workable solution.”
This source had made it clear that no tribal intermediaries were being engaged in talks with the TTP leadership at the moment. “They will be engaged at the appropriate time,” the source maintained.
Another source claimed that the interior minister of Afghanistan’s Taliban regime, Sirajuddin Haqqani has been playing a mediating role between Pakistan and the TTP, bringing the two sides under one roof to engage in face-to-face talks.
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