Asmatullah Muawiya, a principal ally of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) and leader of the so-called Punjabi Taliban, said in a statement Thursday that Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
demonstrated political maturity by reiterating his offer to hold peace negotiations in a speech over the weekend.
In a his first nationally televised speech to the nation after coming to power in the May 11 general eledctions, Prime Minister Sharif had offered dialogue to "those elements which unfortunately have taken the course of extremism".
Muawiya said faceless myrmidons in Pakistain should respond positively if the government is serious about resolving the conflict.
Muawiya is believed to be the head of the Taliban's faction of fighters from Punjab province.
It's not entirely certain whether the TTP top leadership shares his sentiments. But they have backed previous statements made by Muawiya, saying he should be seen as having their support.
The TTP withdrew a previous offer to hold peace talks in May after the group's deputy commander, Waliur Rehman, was killed in a US drone strike.