'Govt negotiators to take up polio vaccination issue with TTP'

A member of Pakistani government's negotiating team with the Taliban has said the negotiators will take up the polio vaccination issue with the political shura of the banned outfit.
Government's negotiation committee has made anti-polio vaccination part of the ongoing negotiations agenda with Taliban and it would be part of the discussion during the next meeting with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Rustam Shah Mohmand has said.
Militant groups see vaccination campaigns as a cover for espionage, and there are also long-running rumours about polio drops causing infertility.
Increasing number of polio cases have given rise to fears that Pakistanis could face travel restrictions over the growing polio cases in the country.

The Taliban have banned polio vaccinations in parts of Pakistan's tribal belt till the US stops drone strikes.
Dozens of health workers and security personnel have died in attacks on polio vaccination teams in the northwest and the port city of Karachi.

He also said government had agreed to a phase-wise release of all prisoners against whom there is no evidence of involvement in militancy.
According to Shah, both the Taliban and government were holding each other's prisoners but the exact number was not available.
The Taliban would be pursued for permanent ceasefire, he said, adding that with the environment of trust and confidence, dialogue could be held in nearby areas also.