The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Friday announced a three-week ceasefire till October 2I hours after Prime Minister Imran Khan revealed in an interview that the government was in talks with some groups of the outfit.
A TTP group based in North Waziristan-based confirmed that the talks with the government were underway. A tribal leader from North Waziristan said that the talks had been underway for quite some time.
Prime Minister Imran, in an interview with TRT World, said that the negotiations were being held in Afghanistan. He said dialogue was the only solution and that the government would “forgive” the members if an agreement was reached.
“We are in talks with some of the groups on a reconciliation process,” the PM said.
Shortly after the interview, the TTP announced a ceasefire, from October 1 to October 20, saying the deadline could be extended if the negotiation process progressed.
According to the tribal leader from North Waziristan, the TTP had put forward three demands, including de-merger of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata); and permission to commanders for carrying weapons and release of prisoners.
He said the government had agreed to some of the conditions. According to reports, an 11-member TTP delegation was holding the talks with the government, while some “influential” Afghan Taliban leaders and other tribal elders were acting as mediator.
Meanwhile, the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) has convened a grand tribal jirga in Peshawar on Saturday (today). A tribal leader said that about 120 delegates would participate in the jirga and important decisions were expected.
‘TTP members who want to shun violence can return to mainstream’
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said those TTP members who wanted to shun the path of violence should be given a chance to return to the mainstream.
In a video message, he said there were various splinter groups in the TTP and amongst them some individuals wanted to honour their pledge of allegiance to the country by returning to the mainstream.
“The peace-loving individuals, who want to move forward in accordance with the Constitution of the country, should be allowed to return to lead a normal life,” he added.
