ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR - Senior leader of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and member Taliban committee Professor Ibrahim has held the government responsible for deadlock in peace talks saying delay in release of non-combatant Tehreek-e-Taliban prisoners gave rise to the crisis.
Talking to media persons in Peshawar on Monday, Prof Ibrahim said, as per announcement, government's committee for peace talks had not yet held meeting with TTP committee due to which deadlock emerged.
Taliban sources have said that they are still ready to hold talks provided the government fulfills its pledges.
Referring to Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar’s press conference in which he said government had decided to release some of the TTP prisoners, Prof Ibrahim said it was never implemented despite passage of several days.
Meanwhile, a private TV channel quoted TTP sources as saying, "We are still ready to hold peace talks. We will not carry out any attack but reserve the right to retaliate if government carries out any action."
The TTP sources were of the view that they still wanted resolution of the issues through talks but it was upon government what strategy it adopts for the purpose.
They said ceasefire would not be extended further and decision regarding release of the people in custody would be taken keeping in view the response of the government.
The TTP sources expressed the hope that government would show flexibility and take any decision in the larger interest of the country and its people.