Pakistan, TTP agree on indefinite ceasefire
An indefinite ceasefire has been agreed between Pakistan and the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). In a breakthrough, the two sides also agreed to continue talks on how to eradicate militancy from the tribal border region.
According to the sources familiar with the development said that the extension of the ceasefire that ended last night indicates significant progress in the talks between the two sides in the Afghan capital Kabul.
Sources further said that the two sides agreed to extend the ceasefire and continue peace talks after holding separate meetings with the Acting Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund in his office.
The sources added that in his meetings with both sides, the separatist leader expressed his desire to allow talks and ceasefire to continue without any final date.
In a subsequent joint meeting, the two sides agreed to continue the ceasefire indefinitely and to move forward with negotiations to end the conflict that has affected thousands of people in Pakistan’s tribal areas and across the country.
Earlier, a temporary ceasefire was agreed between Pakistan and the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan on May 18.
Zabihullah Mujahid, Afghanistan’s deputy minister of information, culture and spokesman for the Taliban, confirmed the talks, saying talks between Pakistan and the outlawed TTP had taken place in Kabul under Afghan government mediation.
After negotiations and a ceasefire between Pakistan and the TTP, the Pakistani government released 30 prisoners.
