PESHAWAR, Nov 18: The NWFP government renewed its offer for talks with the Taliban if they lay down arms and accept the writ of the state when the government’s representative, Mr Afrasiab Khattak, held a meeting with a jirga from Swat here on Tuesday.

Provincial ministers Wajid Ali Khan and Ayub Asharhi and Awami National Party MPAs from the violence-hit district Jafar Shah, Waqar Ahmad Khan, Shamsher Khan and Sher Shah Khan also attended the meeting.

Sources told Dawn that the government side made it clear to Haji Inamur Rehman, who represented the Tehreek-i-Taliban of Swat, that talks could be held with the militants led by Maulana Fazlullah only if they laid down arms. It was the third meeting between the two sides.

Mr Khattak told the jirga that the government was ready to withdraw cases against Taliban militants in phases after completion of scrutiny.

Jirga members said they had obtained Maulana Fazlullah’s consent for ‘unconditional’ talks with the government.

The sources said that the Kanju peace jirga comprised influential local people, who had also facilitated a peace deal between security forces and the Taliban in Koza Banda area of Swat a month ago.