Islamabad: Pakistani govt. and Taliban began their long-awaited talks in Islamabad on Thursday. The government’s representatives set out five conditions for the peace talks to end a decade long insurgency.
The session lasted about three hours which both sides described as cordial and friendly. The head representative of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Maulana Sami Ul-Haq read out the statement listing the conditions established by their counterparts, which were: all talks to be held within the framework of all constitution; the scope of talks should remain confined to areas affected by violence; all hostilities should cease during talks; the Taliban should clarify the role of a separate nine-member committee they have established; the talks should not be protracted.
If the militant group accept the government’s framework, it would prove to be a major development for the hostile region of Pakistan which has recently seen terror attacks targeting its police.
Both sides have agreed to not initiate any act that would disable the peace process.
