'Too Early' to Lay Down arms: Banned TTP on Reported Peace Talks with Govt

PESHAWAR: Banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan maintains that it would be "too early" to lay down arms on the PTI-led government's request to surrender, sources within the Afghan Taliban said Friday.

Sources told Geo News that the Pakistani government has asked the banned organisation to give in and Afghan Taliban commander Sirajuddin Haqqani is playing a key role in the peace talks to make the negotiations a success.

However, the group has demanded the government to release their members from the prison before the desired ceasefire, saying that it would be "too early to" surrender. 

The government has not reacted to the demands of the banned outfit yet, the Afghan Taliban sources said, adding that negotiations could be successful if strong guarantors are provided and the outfit's conditions are accepted.

According to the sources, the chief of the banned TTP Mufti Noor Wali is leading the talks from the group's side.

They added that while some factions of the banned TTP are in favour of holding talks with the Pakistani government, others are still taking a hardline approach.

Pakistan in talks with TTP factions for disarmament: PM Imran Khan

It should be recalled that last month, Prime Minister Imran Khan had admitted that his government was in disarmament talks with some factions of the banned TTP as Pakistan sought stability in the country in the backdrop of a fast-evolving situation in Afghanistan.