Miranshah: Taliban insurgents have set tough terms for peace talks with Pakistan’s government. It includes, the release of all 4,000 imprisoned fighters and the withdrawal of troops from tribal areas, a militant source said on Monday.
The Taliban outlined their demands to the team holding talks with the government for ending a seven-year insurgency. Negotiating teams held their first meeting on Thursday, but the dozen conditions now laid down by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) will raise further doubts about the chances of success.
The chief negotiator representing the Taliban, Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, told reporters the meeting had been “positive”. The next round of talks with government negotiators would take place within two days, he said.
Pakistan’s military entered the tribal areas in 2003 after the US invasion in 2001 of Afghanistan, launching operations against home-grown militants and foreign fighters. The withdrawal of troops and the release of prisoners are longstanding demands of TTP.
The Taliban’s other demands included nationwide implementation of a strict form of Islamic sharia law and Islamic-based education at all levels, an end to Pakistan’s military support for the US and a halt to drone strikes, and an end to interest-based banking.