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...
said Thursday that the "process of dialogue" had started, and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said "structured, formal" talks with Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) snuffies would soon be initiated.
Shahidullah Shahid, the main front man for the TTP told news agency AFP on Friday that there had been no overtures.
"No one has yet contacted us. The government is making announcements only by media, no peace talks have yet been started," Shahid said. "The beginning of peace talks means sitting at a table and discussing issues, no such thing has yet happened."
The TTP have waged a bloody six-year war against the Pak state, which has left thousands dead. The government of Prime Minister Sharif has been edging towards peace talks to end the bloodshed.
Last month Sharif won the backing of the main political parties to go ahead with peace dialogue with the TTP, and the powerful army chief has voiced his support.
After the political parties gave their backing to talks, the TTP issued a list of preconditions including the release of all its members held in Pak jails and the withdrawal of troops from the tribal areas along the Afghan border, where the snuffies have hideouts.
Shahid on Friday reiterated these demands and said the government must fulfill them to prove they are serious about talks.