First peace talk round between Pak govt, Taliban ends in deadlock

The first direct peace dialogue between the Pakistan government and the Taliban militants have reportedly ended in a deadlock.

An unnamed source has revealed that the five-member militants' committee set two conditions for continuation of the peace talks.

While the first condition includes the creation of a demilitarized peace zone in mountainous Shaktoi, South Waziristan, in order to allow free movement, the second seeks the release of non-combatants.

The TTP demanded that the Pakistan government gave them written guarantees before they could commit to an extension in the month-long ceasefire, the Dawn reported.

Describing the situation as stalemate, the source said that the government representatives could not offer any written guarantees, adding that it was not their mandate, so they came back without winning any commitment either for an extension of ceasefire or the release of non-combatants in their custody.

The insider said that the militants had tied the continuation of the peace talks or extension of ceasefire on acceptance of their demands.