THE first direct government-TTP contact on Wednesday had more of an exploratory character, with both sides sounding each other out. But among the few concrete issues reportedly discussed were the extension of a ceasefire declared by the militants earlier this month, and a possible prisoner swap between the state and the outlawed TTP. While most TTP demands made recently, including withdrawal of the army from parts of Fata and the imposition of the group’s brand of Sharia in Pakistan, are clearly unacceptable, the militants’ call for the release of ‘non-combatants’ allegedly being held by the state could be looked into. The militants say around 300 women, children and elderly men are being held by security forces and a list of names has reportedly been forwarded to the government. On the government’s part, the negotiators have called upon the insurgents to release high-profile hostages believed to be held by them. These include a son of former prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and a son of assassinated Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer as well as the vice-chancellor of a Peshawar varsity.

It is not known how credible the TTP’s claim of the state detaining non-combatants is. For example, it has been noted that there are hardly any women or children from Fata or KP in the lists of missing persons, while the courts have also not been approached for the retrieval of any such prisoners. The military has denied it is keeping women and children in captivity. But, it can be said with near certainty that Ali Haider Gilani, Shahbaz Taseer and vice-chancellor Ajmal Khan are being held by the TTP or one of their affiliates as bargaining chips, even though the militants have not confirmed the hostages are in their custody. To prove their intentions, the militants need to set these detainees free. And if the security forces are indeed keeping women and children in detention centres or elsewhere, they must also be released. As to the demand made by the militants for the release of their comrades-in-arms, while human rights principles dictate that non-combatants be released, hardened militants in state captivity must face the law and not be set free under any amnesty.