Nawaz ponders ceasefire after Taliban announcement

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s civilian government is pondering over an end to its limited surgical strikes against the Taliban, as the outlawed militia announced Saturday a month-long ceasefire to keep the peace talks going. Sources told Geo News here that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was happy to know about the TTP announcement and was thinking of declaring a ceasefire on part of the government too. The sources said that the prime minister had asked Army Chief General Rahil Sharif to stop attacks on militants and he might announce his decision soon. The military launched aerial and ground raids on militants' havens in the country’s tribal belt, after over 20 paramilitary soldiers were killed by the TTP despite peace talks.