Taliban have set tough terms for peace talks with Pakistan’s government, including the release of all its estimated 4,000 imprisoned fighters and the withdrawal of troops from tribal areas and a full stop to drone attack from US , a militant source said on Monday.
The Taliban outlined their demands to a team of Islamist clerics who are holding talks with the government on the militants’ behalf about ending a seven- year insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives.
Negotiating teams held the first meeting on Thursday, but the dozen conditions now laid down by the Tehreek- e- Taliban Pakistan ( TTP) will raise further doubts about the chances of success. The demands also include nationwide implementation of a strict form of Sharia law and an end to Pakistan’s military support for the US. “ This is the first round of talks.
The committee members will now meet the government committee and forward our demands.
They will meet us again with a reply,” a TTP commander said.