The Afghan Taliban confirm ceasefire with TTP and Pakistan during ongoing peace talks in Kabul that an agreement with the Pakistani government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on an “indefinite” ceasefire on Saturday.
Afghanistan’s interim Deputy Information Minister Zabihullah Mujahid indicated “bright chances” for the fragile talks to succeed in response to an email from a group of Pakistani journalists.
Mujahid also said that “The Islamic Emirates is playing a mediatory role in the ongoing talks between the two sides.
Our greatest desire and effort is to bring about long-term peace and reconciliation between the two sides,” who also serves as the interim Taliban administration’s spokesman, stated.
As Afghan Taliban confirm ceasefire with TTP it was said that Wars and violence not only bring human, social, and economic losses but also invite “foreign intervention.” He also added that
“I believe the two sides have noticed it,” and “It is in the “best interest of both sides to move forward sincerely to achieve the peace goal.”
Replying to a question about the conditions the two sides have set for permanent peace, Mujahid said: “We have got nothing to do with it. This is an issue between the two sides. We don’t want to get involved.”
“Our only desire is that both sides show flexibility and move forward with sincerity in order to extend the ongoing ceasefire and continue to cease attacks,” he added.
In response to another question on what would happen if talks fail this time as well, Mujahid reassured that the Taliban will not allow “anyone” to use Afghanistan’s soil against Pakistan.
The Taliban have reiterated that Afghan Taliban confirm ceasefire with TTP and similar assures since taking over Kabul in August last year.
However, Pakistan has seen a surge in the militant attacks, mainly in bordering areas, since then.
The Taliban spokesman also confirmed that a delegation of Pakistani tribal leaders recently visited Kabul in connection with the ongoing peace talks.
The visit, he added, helped in extending the ceasefire.
Maulavi Naik Muhammad of North Waziristan was the first to form a militant group in 2004, while the TTP was formally established in June 2007, with Baitullah Mehsud of South Waziristan as its leader.
The group has been involved in numerous attacks, including suicide bombings inside Pakistan.
Another large-scale army operation in 2014 pushed the TTP to neighboring Afghanistan and Islamabad says the terrorist network has now set up bases across the border to attack Pakistani security forces.
