A senior tribal elder has claimed that Pakistan is holding peace talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
According to a foreign news agency the discussions are focused on the South Waziristan region on the Afghan border and could be expanded to try to reach a comprehensive deal.
The Taliban, who are close to al-Qaeda, made several demands,
including the release of prisoners, said the commander. An ethnic
Pashtun tribal mediator described the talks as “very difficult”.
Past peace pacts with the TTP have failed to bring stability, and
merely gave the umbrella group time and space to consolidate, launch
fresh attacks and impose their austere version of Islam on segments of
the population.
“Yes, we have been holding talks but this is just an initial phase.
We will see if there is a breakthrough,” said the senior Taliban
commander, who asked not to be identified. “Right now, this is at the
South Waziristan level. If successful, we can talk about a deal for all
the tribal areas,” he said, referring to Pashtun lands along the Afghan
border. SANA
