TTP outline two conditions for ceasefire

PESHAWAR: The proscribed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan outlined two conditions to hold talks with the government, Geo News reported on Sunday.

Ehsanullah Ehsan, spokesman for the terror outfit, in a video message blamed the government for being non-serious over their earlier ceasefire offer.

The TTP spokesman expressed no confidence over the military for what it said its violation of past agreements reached upon between the army and the militants.

He said the Taliban would hold talks with the government if Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Munawar Hasan, and Nawaz Sharif came forward for being guarantors.

He put the second condition by demanding the government to release Taliban leaders Muslim Khan, Haji Umar and Maulana Mehmood, members of militia’s political wing.

Reacting over a peace offer by the founding father of Pakistan’s nuclear program Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan, who Saturday said he was ready to become a mediator between the Taliban and the government, Ehsan termed the nuclear scientist an asset for Pakistan and said his offer was being considered.

He further said that the militia would speed up its attacks against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, a government ally in Sindh and the centre.