Pak Taliban adds 'ban on US drone strikes' rider to commencement of peace talks
The Pakistani Taliban has insisted US drone strikes in the country must stop before they will consider peace talks with the government.
Political parties had last month backed the Sharif government's proposal to seek negotiations with the militants.
According to the Daily Times, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) responded with a list of preconditions, including a government ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops from the tribal areas.
TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said that any ceasefire must include an end to US drone attacks in the tribal areas.
He said that a ceasefire alone is not sufficient. The stopping of drone strikes is a must, otherwise, if they continue the group will not accept the ceasefire.