First round of direct peace talks between Pak govt, Taliban concludes

The first round of direct peace talks between the government and the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leadership has concluded.

The talks concluded with both the sides reportedly reaching an agreement on several issues.

According to Dawn News, sources said both the parties sought guarantees from each other, during the talks, which were held at Biland Khel area of Shawa Tehsil on the border of Orakzai and North Waziristan tribal agencies bordering Afghanistan.

The TTP also responded positively to the demands put forward by the government's committee seeking indefinite ceasefire and the release of non-combatant prisoners.

Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid also said that both the sides have agreed to extend the ceasefire while there was also a consensus among them on the exchange of non-combatants prisoners, the report added.