Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, however, did not share any details of the landmark talks, saying only that once the negotiators returned, it would be up to the government to make statements to media.
The negotiations are part of a push by the government of 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...
to negotiate a peace deal with the Taliban that would end a bloody insurgency that has killed thousands of people in recent years.
Sources told DawnNews that the both parties sought guarantees from each other, during the talks, which were held at Biland Khel area of Shawa Tehsil on the border of Orakzai and North
Wazoo tribal agencies bordering Afghanistan.The TTP also responded positively to the demands of indefinite ceasefire and the release of non-combatant prisoners put forward by the government's committee, they added.
During the negotiations, the TTP representatives asked members of the government committee if they had been delegated with decision-making powers, to which the committee members replied in the affirmative.
Pak Taliban front man Shahidullah Shahid also said that the both sides have agreed in extending the ceasefire while there was also a consensus among them on the exchange of non-combatants prisoners.
In a statement issued after the first round of direct talks, he said that the day-long talks were held in conducive environment and both sides have shown their confidence in the development.
The TTP front man further said that regular patrolling of the security forces in the area has to be limited giving way to free movement of 'rustics.'
The government's mediating team is expected to return from North Waziristan later tonight.
Earlier, Professor Ibrahim Khan of Jamaat-e-Islami
...
The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka
The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an
independentbranch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores...
told news hounds that the face-to-face discussions were aimed at ending years-long violence.
The Pak team, headed by government official Habibullah Khan Khattak, flew on Wednesday morning by helicopter to the location for the talks, described as a ''peace zone.''
Sources had also said that a five-member TTP Shura, including Qari Shakeel, Azam Tariq, Maulvi Zakir, Qari Bashir and another member, would hold talks with the government team.
The main challenges of negotiating a peace settlement are the many groups and factions behind the violence, with many operating outside the Taliban control, including both local and foreign al Qaeda-linked hard boy outfits.
The direct talks were originally to take place on Tuesday, but bad weather prevented the government helicopter from traveling to the northwest.
The talks, promoted by Sharif, have proceeded in fits and starts since he took office last year. So far, the two sides held only indirect talks, with the Taliban represented by two holy mans, Khan, the professor, and Maulana Samiul Haq
...the
Godfather of the Taliban,leader of his own faction of the JUI. Known as
Mullah Sandwichfor his habit of having two young boys at a time...
.
Haq was also on board the helicopter from Islamabad on Wednesday, traveling with Khattak in an effort to facilitate the meeting.
The Pak and Afghan Taliban share similar ideology but the Pak Taliban have a separate leadership structure and focus their efforts on attacking the Pak government and trying to impose their harsh form of Islam in the country.
Earlier on Tuesday, a proposed meeting between the government's representatives and the TTP Shura was deferred on account of bad weather conditions.