Peace Talks: Rasheed says ball in Taliban’s court

ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan is waiting for the Taliban to respond to its demand seeking ceasefire so that deadlock in talks could end.

Talking to media here Wednesday, Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed has said that the ball is now in the court of the banned outfit Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

He said that no reply has yet received from the Taliban side over the government's demand to halt their militancy. The future roadmap would be devised after getting reply from the Taliban, he added.

Meanwhile, the member of government committee Rahimullah Yousafzai said that the peace talks have not been completely terminated despite deadlock and that no decision has been made regarding the military operation in the tribal region.

Yousafzai said Taliban shura has claimed that all the factions are with them over the ceasefire and the peace talks could move forward.

Another member of government committee Rustam Mehmand said that there is no point to meet the Taliban's committee following the back-to-back attacks on security forces and the discussions should be held directly with the main leadership of TTP.

On the other hand, Taliban's committee member Professor Ibrahim has admitted that the deadlock in talks persists and that he could not say how the things would improve.