MIRAMSHAH, Sept 1: Political authorities in North Waziristan released another batch of prisoners on Friday to clear the way for a permanent truce expected in a few days. Officials said 13 tribesmen were set free from Miramshah jail and handed over to members of a grand tribal jirga.

The authorities had released 143 tribesmen since the militants declared unilateral ceasefire in the agency on June 25, the officials said.

An official said some 15 tribesmen were still in custody and they would be released soon.

They were arrested during military operations and under the collective responsibility clause of the Frontier Crimes Regulation.

Sources said the government and militants were inching towards a peace agreement. “We are heading in positive direction, but still there are a few hiccups in the final settlement,” said a member of the jirga.

“We expect a deal by Sept 10,” he said.

The sources said withdrawal of army and paramilitary troops from various checkpoints and payment of a huge amount as compensation were the main issues hampering the peace process.

The authorities, they said, had yet to agree to the militants’ demand to pull out troops from the checkpoints in the agency.