A delegation of Pakistani religious and tribal leaders, headed by Mufti Taqi Usmani, has reached Kabul for talks with the representatives of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as part of efforts to push for a peace deal.
During the visit, the delegation will hold meetings with the representatives of the banned outfit and senior officials of the Afghan Taliban government to take forward the process that began earlier last year.
Negotiations between the Pakistani government and the TTP have been going from the last year through the mediation of the Afghan Taliban. Initially, the talks led to a one-month ceasefire but the process could not move forward after both sides accused the other of not honouring the commitments.
Afterwards, the TTP resumed terrorist attacks against the Pakistani security forces.
In April, following the spate of cross-border terrorist attacks by the banned outfit, Islamabad reportedly carried out airstrikes across the border targeting its hideouts.
Pakistani authorities also conveyed a stern message to Afghan Taliban that the country would no longer tolerate TTP attacks. Soon after, Afghan Taliban brought the TTP to the negotiating table. After a series of meetings, the banned outfit finally agreed to a ceasefire for an indefinite period.
