Confidence rebuilding between TTP and govt, says Prof. Ibrahim

PESHAWAR: Member of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) nominated committee to hold peace talks with the government, Professor Mohammad Ibrahim has said that confidence was being restored between the government and Taliban and that positive results of the development would be evident soon, DawnNews reported. Professor Ibrahim said that he was in contact with the TTP Shura and the place and time for holding the next round of peace talks would be decided upon soon. He further said that the process of exchanging prisoners from both sides would begin soon. The peace talks, which began in February, were a key campaign pledge for Sharif before he was elected to office for a third time last year. The peace talks between the government and Taliban struck an impasse last month after the Taliban-linked militants murdered 23 kidnapped Pakistani paramilitary soldiers. The killings resulted in multiple targeted airstrikes by the military against suspected hideouts in the tribal northwest bordering with Afghanistan. The Taliban then announced a one-month ceasefire which was reciprocated by the government which halted its airstrikes targeting militants and their hideouts. The dialogue process has entered its decisive stage now while the Taliban have also announced an extension in their cease fire until April 10.