MIRANSHAH-
The peace talks between government representatives and members of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Shura kicked off on Wednesday at an undisclosed location in North Waziristan Agency, private TV channels reported.
The members of TTP appointed intermediary committee and government’s negotiators first travelled from Peshawar to Miranshah via a helicopter and then proceeded to an undisclosed location to meet the TTP Shura.
According to reports, the government body has demanded of the TTP to declare a ceasefire for an indefinite period of time and release the prominent individuals they have imprisoned.
The TTP is reported to have responded positively to the demands.
The members of the government committee include Additional Chief Secretary FATA Arbab Arif, former ambassador Rustam Shah Mohmand, Additional Secretary to Prime Minister Fawad Hasan Fawad and Secretary Ports and Shipping Habibullah Khattak.
The TTP appointed intermediary committee members include Chief of Jamiat Ulema Islam- Sami (JUI-S) Maulana Samiul Haq, Leader Jamaat-e-Islami Professor Ibrahim , and Spokesperson of JUI-S Maulana Yousaf Shah.
The five-member TTP Shura that will be holding direct talks with the government team include , Azam Tariq, ,Qari Shakeel, Maulvi Zakir, Qari Bashir and another member.
On Tuesday, the proposed meeting between the groups was postponed as the government team and intermediary committee could not travel due to bad weather conditions.