Govt should announce ceasefire first: Taliban

MIRANSHAH: The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has refused to announce a ceasefire, calling on the government to do so first.

During a news conference, TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said a ceasefire cannot be announced as the government has been fighting against the Taliban. “We have been waging war for several years,” Shahid said.

“If the government cannot negotiate a ceasefire, how can talks be held with a handful of people” Shahid questioned.

The Taliban spokesman claimed several TTP members had been killed during the dialogue process.

In an earlier statement, Shahidullah Shahid had claimed not a single clause in Pakistan’s constitution was Islamic. The spokesman said the government wanted the Taliban to accept the constitution of Pakistan through the dialogue process.