Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Maulvi Umar has said that Pakistani Taliban are ready to lay down their arms and hold talks with the government if the latter ceases fire. "We are sensible people and understand the survival and integrity of our country. If the government relinquishes use of power, we are also ready to stop our actions and hold talks with the government," Umar told BBC Urdu from an undisclosed location on Wednesday. He said that local Taliban were also ready to cooperate with the government in its efforts to drive out foreigners from the tribal areas and stop militants' infiltration into Afghanistan. When asked whether the TTP would guarantee that Pakistani Taliban would not cross into Afghanistan and take part in militancy, he replied in affirmative, saying they did not need to go to Afghanistan as Afghan Taliban were powerful. However, if Afghan Taliban seek assistance from Pakistani Taliban, the decision will be made in consultation with the people, he added.