The Pakistani Taliban on Sunday announced preconditions for talks on ending an insurgency that has killed thousands, as seven more soldiers or police including a general died in insurgent attacks. Shahidullah Shahid, spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), had earlier welcomed the new government’s move to begin peace talks, but said Sunday it must show its sincerity. “First of all, troops in the entire tribal area should go back to barracks and then our prisoners should be released,” Shahid said. “The Pakistan government must take steps which can develop an atmosphere of trust and can remove the doubts and suspicion. We cannot move forward unless the governments accepts these two demands.”
He was speaking after the Taliban’s shura or decision-making council held three days of talks about the government offer of dialogue. Shura members from across the country took part in the meeting and stressed the need for confidence-building measures, the spokesman said. Shahid did not give a figure for the number of jailed insurgents and did not totally rule out peace talks if the preconditions are not met.
