ISLAMABAD: The second phase of peace talks between the government and Taliban is likely to start next week, according to informed sources.
The possible dates and venues of direct talks between a government team and the Shura of the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were discussed at a meeting of a TTP-nominated committee, led by Maulana Samiul Haq, with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan here on Saturday.
The sources said the government proposed the Bannu airport as the venue of the talks and Taliban negotiators suggested talks in Miramshah in North Waziristan.
The Taliban committee briefed Chaudhry Nisar on its recent meeting with the TTP Shura to set the stage for the second phase of dialogue.
Both sides agreed that the peace process should be carried forward without any delay to foil conspiracies of the elements wishing to sabotage it.
Maulana Sami told the minister that the Taliban were sincere in holding talks and committed to a ceasefire announced by them.
“They are trying to identify those violating the ceasefire and hold them accountable,” he was quoted as saying.
Later, talking to reporters, the Maulana said the schedule and venue of direct talks would be announced in a few days. He expressed the hope that contacts between the two sides would pave way for peace in the country and said there was a will on both sides to advance the peace process.
The government had announced formation of a committee to hold talks with the TTP in the end of January and asked the Taliban to follow suit.
The talks between the committees nominated by two sides started in the first week of February but got stuck in an impasse after Taliban militants killed 23 kidnapped soldiers. The killings resulted in targeted air strikes by the military against suspected hideouts in the tribal area.
The government formed a new committee on March 12 to hold direct talks with the TTP as part of efforts to seek an end to violence plaguing the country for over a decade. The committee was formed a week after announcement of a month-long ceasefire by Taliban.
Ports and Shipping Secretary Habibullah Khattak has been named as the head of the committee whose members include Fata Additional Secretary Arbab Arif, Additional Secretary to Prime Minister Office Fawad Hassan Fawad and former diplomat Rustam Shah Mohmand, who was part of the previous negotiating team as well.