May 13, 2022
2 mins read

Pakistan hands over TTP commanders to Afghan Taliban

The move came as a delegation of senior Pakistani military officials arrived in Kabul on May 9 for talks with the TTP leadership, said sources with knowledge of the negotiations….reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan has handed over two top commanders of the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to the Afghan Taliban, which has been mediating peace talks between the two sides, as part of efforts to revive negotiations with the militant group, RFE/RL reported.

Muslim Khan and Mehmood Khan were recently transferred from a military detention facility to the custody of the Afghan Taliban in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal belt, said sources with knowledge of the matter.

The move came as a delegation of senior Pakistani military officials arrived in Kabul on May 9 for talks with the TTP leadership, said sources with knowledge of the negotiations.

As a confidence-building measure, the TTP agreed a temporary cease-fire from May 10 to 15, according to a decree issued by the TTP leadership and seen by RFE/RL. The militant group had announced a unilateral truce from April 29 to May 9 to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the start of the Eid holiday.

The talks between the Pakistani delegation and the TTP are being mediated by the Afghan Taliban, which has close ideological and organizational ties with the TTP. The Afghan militant group is also a longtime ally of Islamabad, its main foreign sponsor.

The negotiations came as the TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban, has intensified its attacks in Pakistan since a monthlong cease-fire expired and peace talks collapsed in December, RFE/RL reported.

Since then, Islamabad has sent secret delegations to Afghanistan to hold talks with the TTP on reviving the expired truce and resuming talks over a negotiated end to the TTP’s 14-year insurgency in Pakistan, where thousands of people have been killed in militant attacks and clashes between the TTP and the military.

The TTP has demanded the release of 102 commanders and fighters in Pakistani prisons. Pakistan had released most of the TTP prisoners but had been reluctant to free Muslim Khan and Mehmood Khan.

The TTP has also demanded the implementation of Islamic Shar’ia law in Pakistan’s tribal belt, a demand that observers said the government would likely reject.

The two commanders will be released from the custody of the Afghan Taliban once the TTP agrees a permanent cease-fire with Islamabad, said a source with knowledge of the negotiations, RFE/RL reported.

ALSO READ: Will IMF diktat save Pakistan?

Previous Story

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan passes away

Next Story

‘Mars has much more water than thought’

Latest from -Top News

Kerala CM begins Gulf tour

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan begins Gulf tour in Bahrain, engaging expatriate community and promoting welfare initiatives for NRKs, strengthening diaspora ties and showcasing Kerala’s development achievements….reports Asian Lite News Kerala Chief Minister

Green gold beneath the waves

Abu Dhabi, EAD and TotalEnergies launch seagrass restoration programme to protect marine biodiversity, store carbon, support dugongs, enhance fisheries, and lead global climate action initiatives….reports Asian Lite News As part of its

Microsoft joins UAE money push

The MoU sets the stage for a strategic partnership aimed at integrating AI across the UAE’s investment ecosystem….reports Asian Lite News The Ministry of Investment and Microsoft have signed a Memorandum of

EDGE unleashes cyber shield

The flagship platform, PROTECTION360, expands EDGE’s capabilities in continuous attack surface management….reports Asian Lite News EDGE, the UAE-based global advanced technology and defence conglomerate, has unveiled a suite of four cutting-edge cyber

UAE strengthens ties with WEF

During discussions, Sheikha Latifa highlighted the UAE’s commitment to fostering international collaboration and building frameworks that support forward-looking solutions to global challenges….reports Asian Lite News H.H. Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid
Go toTop

Don't Miss

US cautions its citizens in Pakistan against potential protests

The statement advised US citizens to avoid any large gatherings

Religious minorities under attack in Pakistan

In 2020 and during the first seven months of 2021,