ISLAMABAD: A four-member committee constituted by the government formally invited the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Friday for peace talks and urged the outlawed militant organisation to immediately nominate its interlocutors and convey its demands for starting the dialogue process.

Irfan Siddiqui, special assistant to the prime minister on national affairs and the only member of the committee representing the government, announced at a press conference that the government had given the committee an “open-ended mandate” with no strings attached to hold talks with the Taliban.

The committee had a busy day as it first met the prime minister early in the morning, later attended a briefing by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and then had its own meeting. All four members, including Rustam Shah Mohmand, Rahimullah Yousufzai and retired Maj Amir Khan, attended the meetings and the briefing.

“Since the prime minister had to leave for inauguration of the Thar coal project, he met the committee members at 8am for 45 minutes and assured them of his all-out support, putting himself at the disposal of the committee,” Mr Siddiqui said.

If needed, the prime minister told the committee, he could spare time on a daily basis and they could meet him at short notice, Mr Siddiqui added.

The members had a candid discussion which the prime minister who assured them of their complete independence in decision making.

According to government sources, the members expressed concern over the likelihood of the government not honouring their recommendations. The prime minister, the sources said, tried to allay their apprehensions.

The committee was briefed by the interior minister on his earlier attempt to hold talks with the TTP and on the information the ministry had gathered on matters relating to negotiations with the militants. As the focal person, Chaudhry Nisar also assured the committee of his ministry’s complete support.

The committee later met in the office of Mr Siddiqui, its coordinator, and took some decisions, including extending the formal invitation to the TTP for talks. It will be delivered to the quarters concerned.

The committee also requested the militant organisation to come up with a speedy response.

“The process of peace talks will be restricted to days and weeks, and will not extend to months, but a lot depends on how quickly the TTP responds,” Mr Siddiqui said when asked about dialogue’s timeframe.

He said the committee had urged the government functionaries, including members of the federal cabinet, and TTP leaders to stop issuing caustic statements which could spoil the atmosphere for talks. “It’s very important that both sides respect the initiative.”

He said: “To avoid any misunderstanding, the committee will only respond to formal contacts from the other side instead of addressing media reports.”

The committee was unanimous that it had the right to hire services of anybody it deemed necessary for consultation. When asked if consultations would be held with the military during the talks, Mr Siddiqui said Prime Minister Sharif had said in his address to the National Assembly on Wednesday that all state institutions were onboard and the committee members had been told the same during Friday’s meeting.

“Rustam Shah is the nominee of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government,” the coordinator said when asked if the government of the province most affected by TTP attacks had a role.

Later, Mr Yousufzai and Mr Mohmand met PTI chief Imran Khan.

According to the PTI media office, Mr Khan offered his party’s full support for the success of the peace process.

Replying to a question, Mr Siddiqui said the government and other political forces had repeatedly called for upholding the sanctity of the constitution and everybody was aware of this important fact.

Although Mr Siddiqui sounded optimistic about the success of the move, a government source told Dawn: “At best we are hoping to get the maximum number of TTP factions on our side -- those willing to lay down arms -- so that the rest can be targeted.”