ISLAMABAD — Pakistan has reportedly reached a broader understanding withthe terrorist group, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to end nearly twodecades of violence in the country.
Dawn quoted sources as saying that “direct, face-to-face” talks between thetwo sides were being held in Afghanistan’s south-western Khost province fornearly two weeks. These talks have resulted in a tentative understanding ona countrywide truce. Release of some TTP foot soldiers as part ofconfidence-building measures is also part of the peace agreement.
However, it is not immediately clear how many militants Pakistan would setfree. Sources say the number is not more than two dozen. “These are footsoldiers, not senior or mid-level commanders,” the sources said. “We aretesting the ground. We are cautious,” they said.
“The truce will come into effect once the prisoners are released,” thesources said, requesting not to be named because they were not authorisedto speak to the media.
“The tentative month-long truce shall be extendable, depending on how thesenegotiations go forward,” a source said.
It is not clear who from the Pakistan side is negotiating with the TTP.
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Afghanistan’s incumbent Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani has beenplaying a mediating role between Pakistan and the TTP, a source said.
“Talks are being held directly between senior officers and senior TTPleadership. The TTP includes all groups without exception,” the sourcesaid. “There are several proposals on the table and both sides are workingto hammer out a workable solution.”
This source made it clear that no tribal intermediaries were being engagedin talks with the TTP leadership at the moment. “They will be engaged atthe appropriate time,” the source said.
In an interview with a Turkish news channel last month, Prime MinisterImran Khan had acknowledged that his government was in talks with the TTPso that they may surrender arms and reconcile in return for amnesty “to beable to live like ordinary citizens”.