Summary Taliban had announced a month-long ceasefire earlier this month which was reciprocated by govt.
LAHORE (Dunya News) – Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed said on Saturday that an extension in ceasefire between government and Taliban is highly likely, adding that his party has had to face consequences over good relations with neighbouring countries during previous tenures, Dunya News reported.
Addressing media at Lahore Press Club, he said that both Taliban and government committees are meeting on a daily basis and that the developments are being made in the negotiations process.
He said that both parties would agree to extend ceasefire period if talks continue.
Talking about foreign policy and giving Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India, he said that no country would be allowed to interfere in Pakistan’s internal matters.
He said that Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) government has faced consequences for establishing good relations neighbouring countries during previous tenure.
He further said that government is trying to solve crucial matters and asked the media to continue the tradition of responsible reporting to assist development.
Earlier, government and Taliban committees had resolved to hold direct talks with Taliban on a mutually agreed upon location in Frontier Region (FR) Bannu, Dunya News reported.
Government and Taliban coordinating committees met in Punjab House Islamabad in a session chaired by Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali on Saturday.
Participants included Rustam Shah Mohmand, Arbab Arif, Habibullah Khattak and Fawad Hussain from government’s side, and Maulana Samiul Haq, Maulana Yousaf and Professor Ibrahim from Taliban’s coordinating committee.
The government led by PMLN secured a vote of confidence in favour of dialogue through a session of All Parties Conference (APC) and to act on the recommendation upon willingness from Taliban, committees to represent both government and Taliban were formed and the process continued.
However, all negotiations stalled as a number of civilians and military personnel were brutalized whose responsibility was claimed by Taliban.
Following a number of air strikes by Pakistan military, Taliban agreed to a month-long ceasefire which was later reciprocated by the government.
Government also dissolved the existing committees emphasizing the need of moving forward the negotiations to next phase by restructuring the existing government committee to hold ‘direct talks’.
