Pakistan security agencies, Taliban talks in decisive phase

A leading Pakistani news daily on Tuesday reported that secret talks between Pakistan’s security agencies and the local Taliban have entered a decisive phase. Daily Express Tribune reported that both sides are hoping their negotiations will culminate in a ‘lasting’ agreement which will restore peace to the country’s lawless tribal lands. “Unlike the past, we are trying to have something workable and implementable this time around,” said the official referring to the failure of all three agreements the security institutions had signed with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). “We have drawn the broader outlines for a possible accord. And what we’re now working on are minor details,” said an intelligence official, who claimed the results of the ‘year-long’ peace process would be unveiled shortly. Senior TTP associates also confirmed that these covert talks with the military establishment were reaching a climax and said there were several indications of things moving ahead. Last month, sources added, TTP leader Maulvi Waliur Rehman Mehsud had ordered to halt the training of suicide bombers at several camps in South and North Waziristan. Earlier Pakistan’s spy chief had told a Senate panel that talks with the Taliban were at an advanced stage and some major breakthrough was expected over the next few months.