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

Pak ISPR denounces comments about Gen Faiz Hameed

Next Story

Chinese social media slams WHO’s remark on Covid policy

Latest from -Top News

Pakistan in the Dark: Power Crisis Boils Over

Regular power outages are a fact of life in Pakistan, but recent developments suggest that the situation is escalating to new extremes….writes Nasir Khattak In early January 2025, a nerve-breaking power outage

Modi, MBZ talk big ties

The call reaffirmed their keenness to “strengthen relations in line with their shared vision to leverage opportunities and deepen strategic cooperation.”…reports Asian Lite News In a significant diplomatic engagement, Prime Minister Narendra

It’s Official: Trump Slaps 25% Tariff on India

Trump issues executive order formalising India’s tariff at 25 pc…reports Asian Lite News New York, Aug 1 (IANS) As the deadline for tariffs neared, US President Donald Trump imposed the threatened tariff

Balochistan not for sale, Trump told

Mir Yar Baloch asserted that Trump’s recognition of the oil and mineral reserves in the region is “indeed accurate.”…reports Asian Lite News Just after US President Donald Trump announced to help Pakistan
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Restore Freedom of Expression, US Urges Pakistan

On irregularities in election process in Pakistan, Matthew Miller said

US reaffirms support to Pakistan in fight against terrorism

Over the past few months, terrorism has been rearing its