Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has approved release of 12 people from detention as part of the “so-called confidence-building measures” in a bid to bring the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), according to sources.
They said the 12 suspected militants held by security agencies could be released in next couple of days to meet a key demand of the Taliban.
The TTP leadership had handed over a list of combatants to the government negotiating team.
The government, however, has not agreed to the TTP’s demand of declaring a peace zone in South Waziristan to facilitate their movement.
According to the TTP, the peace zone could serve as a possible rendezvous for talks between the two sides.
A month-long ceasefire that was extended by the TTP for 10 days expired on April 10 with no word on its extension.
