Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry announced on Monday that a “complete ceasefire” between the government and the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been agreed upon after talks were held between the two parties.
“Negotiations between the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan are being held under the Constitution of Pakistan. Under the agreement, a complete ceasefire has been agreed,” Fawad was quoted by state broadcaster Pakistan Television (PTV).
مذاکرات میں ریاست کی حاکمیت،ملکی سلامتی، متعلقہ علاقوں کےامن، معاشرتی اوراقتصادی استحکام کو ملحوظ خاطررکھاجائےگا۔افغان عبوری حکومت نےمذاکرات میں کردار ادا کیا ہے۔وزیراعظم عمران خان نےتحریک طالبان سےمذاکرات کا تذکرہ کیا تھا۔وزیراطلاعات ونشریات @fawadchaudhry کی میڈیا سےگفتگو
2/2 pic.twitter.com/FG8QFtBj7o— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) November 8, 2021
While confirming reports of the talks, the minister said that the ceasefire may be extended depending on the ‘progress’ of the talks.
Fawad said that the talks are focused on “state sovereignty, national security, peace, social and economic stability” in the areas affected by the TTP’s violence.
“The interim Afghan government played a role in the talks. Prime Minister Imran Khan had mentioned talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban,” said Fawad.
Last week, multiple media outlets had reported that Pakistan has reached an understanding with the outlawed organisation for “broader peace agreement”.
Daily Dawn had published the report citing sources that the talks were held in Afghanistan’s south-western Khost province.
The news came after Prime Minister Imran Khan, in an interview with a Turkish TV channel in September had revealed that Islamabad was in talks with the outlawed organisation to surrender their arms and reconcile in return for amnesty “to be able to live like ordinary citizens”.
