A meeting of the committees representing the government and Taliban was underway here on Saturday to finalise the date and venue for the next phase of peace talks.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had convened the meeting between the two committees. Sources told that the meeting was deliberating on the list of ‘prisoners’ under government detention shared by the Taliban. The two sides were also discussing the release of persons kidnapped and held hostage by the militants.
Prior to the developments on Saturday, the interior minister told a press conferenceat the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) headquarters on Friday that direct talks between the government committee and Taliban Shura would begin in a few days.
A sensitive phase of the peace process was about to start and it would bring to an end all misgivings and misconceptions, he said. He indicated that a month-long ceasefire announced by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) would continue beyond the March 31 deadline but did not elaborate.
The minister warned of action against elements conspiring to sabotage the peace process. He said he was hopeful about a positive development in the peace process but said it was better for the government to move quietly and avoid media glare.
