ISLAMABAD: The Chief of the Taliban negotiating team Maulana Samiul Haq said on Saturday that the second round of direct talks between the government team and the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Shura is expected during the next two to three days.
Talking to media representatives after a joint meeting of the government and Taliban negotiating committees in Islamabad on Saturday, Maulana Sami said that venue and timetable of the dialogue are being sorted out.
Maulana Sami said that today’s meeting deliberated upon measures to promote the atmosphere of goodwill. He said that steps taken by the government are reflective of its goodwill and more such gestures will be witnessed in days to come.
In reply to a question, he said that the two sides will place their demands and points on the table in the coming session.
The Taliban committee chief said that so far exchange of prisoners is one of the major demands. He said that the government is contemplating release of non-militant prisoners and it has reached a conclusion to some extent.
Moreover, he said that the joint meeting expressed satisfaction over extension of ceasefire.
Earlier, a joint meeting of the government and the Taliban negotiating committees was held in Islamabad on Saturday with the interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in the chair.
During the meeting, they discussed progress of talks as well as venue and date for the next round of direct talks between the government team and the TTP Shura.
