Govt team briefs Nisar over meeting with Taliban Shura

Published March 27, 2014
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.—File Photo
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.—File Photo

ISLAMABAD: The government's committee to mediate talks with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Thursday met with Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and briefed him over yesterday's meeting between the Taliban Shura and the government's representatives, DawnNews reported.

The meeting also discussed the agenda of the next phase of talks between the two sides and the demands put forward by the Taliban.

Sources say that the latest round of negotiations may result in the possible release of Professor Ajmal Khan and eight other hostages held by the Taliban.

Sources added that the Taliban have demanded the release of some vital prisoners belonging to the militant organisation in exchange for Shahbaz Taseer and Ali Haider Gilani.

Moreover the TTP has also demanded an ease in the movement of its members and a decrease in military presence in the tribal areas in order to establish a 'peace zone.'

The Taliban has also put forward the demand for the release of non-combatants including women and children who, according to them, were imprisoned by the government.

The militants group has also complained of torture on its members who were jailed in Sindh.

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