The ceasefire between banned terror organisation Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Pakistani government has been further extended to May 30 as the ‘peace talks’ continue in Afghanistan.
The news of the ceasefire was confirmed by TTP spokesperson Muhammad Khurasani through a statement issued over WhatsApp, according to Dawn.
He revealed that the ceasefire had taken place at the behest of a grand jirga consisting of 32 members of the Mehsud tribe, and another jirga of 16 members from Malakand, who had also held talks with the TTP on May 13 and 14.
“The committees called for a ceasefire by both sides in light of the ongoing talks. Therefore, keeping in view the demand, both sides have announced a ceasefire until May 30,” he said.
The same committees had also met with the TTP on May 7 to broker a deal between them and the Pakistani army, which had resulted in the extension of the 5-day ceasefire previously granted for the occasion of Eid, till May 15th.
Khurasani said, “Talks are under way between the committees of the TTP and the government of Pakistan,” adding that the peace talks were being moderated by the Afghan Taliban.
This was also confirmed by the spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid.
Talks were held in Kabul between the government of Pakistan and the Taliban Movement of Pakistan with the mediation of the Islamic Emirate. In addition to making significant progress on related issues during the talks, a temporary ceasefire was also agreed upon.1/2
— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) May 18, 2022
Mujahid said on Twitter that the Islamic Emirate was mediating talks between the ‘Taliban Movement of Pakistan’ and the Pakistani government, adding that significant progress was made on related issues during the talks, as well as the announcement of a ceasefire that would last till May 30.
He also said, “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan strives for the goodwill of the negotiating process and wishes both sides tolerance and flexibility.”
