KOHAT, April 10 The Tehrik-i-Taliban, Darra Adamkhel, has extended the ceasefire deadline for another 10 days, till April 20, on a request of a jirga also negotiating with the political administration to restore peace in the area.

The tribal elders of Darra Adamkhel and the Taliban reached the agreement after lengthy and tense talks.

The military had reportedly decided not to use force against militants unless provoked, but the political administration is yet to respond to the ceasefire announcement by the Taliban despite repeated reminders by the tribal elders.

A highly placed source in the NWFP government told Dawn on Friday that so far they had not received any order of shift in the policy regarding the local Taliban from the federal government.

“The ceasefire is not enough, which has been announced just for the protection of tribesmen from collateral damage on the request of the tribal jirga. Taliban commanders will have to stop suicide attacks, kidnappings on the Kohat-Parachinar highway and killing of innocent people if they really want peace,” he said.

He complained that the military, which was controlling Darra Adamkhel, had not taken the political administration into confidence over its decision not to use force.

DIG Kohat region DIG Idrees Khan called upon lawyers on Friday to work closely with police to make justice accessible to the poor at their doorsteps.

He announced to form a police-lawyers coordination committee for removing hurdles in the way of early disposal of cases and providing help to people who were innocent but nominated in different cases.

Speaking at a function organised by the Kohat Bar Association for him, the police officer asked lawyers to make efforts for ending corruption and injustice and upholding supremacy of the law.

He said the Citizen Liaison Committee was again being made active to ensure cooperation of people, judiciary and police in eliminating crimes.

He said police would not show any leniency towards criminals.

The function was attended by Kohat Bar Association president Khursheed Khattak, secretary general Javed, joint secretary Samiullah, SP (operation) Mohammad Arif and other police officers.