Islamabad, The Pakistani government and the armed group Pakistan Taliban (TTP) have agreed to a one-month ceasefire.
Government spokesman Fawad Chaudhry said the Taliban government in Afghanistan helped facilitate the ceasefire between the government of Prime Minister Imran Khan and the banned outfit.
“The government of Pakistan and banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (Pakistan Taliban) have agreed on a complete ceasefire,” Chaudhry said in a statement on Monday.
According to state broadcaster Pakistan Television (PTV), the minister said the focus of the talks was on “state sovereignty, national security, peace, social and economic stability in the areas concerned”.
In a statement, Pakistan Taliban spokesperson Mohammad Khurasani confirmed the ceasefire beginning November 9 would remain in place until December 9, during which both sides will form a committee to continue talks. He said both sides will adhere to the ceasefire.
The peace talks between the government and the TTP began last month. Chaudry said the truce could be extended if talks continue to make progress.
The Pakistan Taliban is a separate organisation from Afghanistan’s Taliban, which seized power in August.
Authorities had earlier said that peace talks were taking place with TTP leaders in Afghanistan, where they have been hiding for the past several years. The Pakistan Taliban was formed by armed rebels in 2007 and since then, thousands of people have been killed in dozens of attacks claimed by the group in the past 14 years.
Source- Reuters
