PESHAWAR: For the first time in 10 years, direct peace talks were held between the government and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Orakzai Agency.The News, Dawn, The Frontier Post, Daily Mashriq.
ISLAMABAD: The future of the dialogue process between the government and the TTP greatly depends on the release of non-combatant women, children and elderly men alleged to be in the custody of the security forces. The News.
WASHINGTON: Dozens of seasoned militant fighters, including mid-level planners, have travelled to Syria from Pakistan in recent months in what US intelligence and counterterrorism officials fear is an effort to lay the foundation for future strikes against Europe and the United States, reports the New York Times. The News, The Frontier Post.
PESHAWAR: Afghanistan’s intelligence agency, National Directorate of Security (NDS), has announced that a Pakistani Taliban commander was arrested in the eastern Nuristan province. The News, Daily Mashriq.
FAISALABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain has asked the nation to pray for the success of peace talks being held between a government committee and the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. Addressing the 40th anniversary of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Wednesday, he said that since the use of force was not a solution to any problem, the government had opted for dialogue. Dawn.
PESHAWAR: The government has restricted the movement of Lady Health Workers (LHW) to their own areas after attacks on the polio workers, according to officials. They said that health department didn`t want to depute LHWs for carrying out anti-polio vaccination to enable them to continue their basic duty of providing primary healthcare services to mothers and children at community level. Dawn.
PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Engineer Shaukatullah has asked the overseas Pakistanis and foreign investors to make their investments in the Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata), and assured them of government`s full protection and security in this respect. Dawn.
MINGORA: Qaumi Watan Party Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao on Wednesday said his party supported the governmentTehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan dialogue as it wanted early restoration of peace in the country. Dawn.
ISLAMABAD: As the government committee and the Taliban leadership hold direct talks in North Waziristan, US drones started hovering over the tribal belt considered to be the safe haven of the most feared terror outfit on Wednesday. The Frontier Post.
ISLAMABAD: The spokesman of Maulana Samiul Huque Wednesday said that the Maulana would be leading the talks with Taliban Shura, local TV reported. According to the spokesman, Maulana Samiul Huque himself would be leading both the delegations for making the talks success and fruitful. The Frontier Post.
ISLAMABAD: Taliban negotiating liaison committee member, professor Ibrahim on Wednesday termed the government committee and Taliban Shura meeting a major headway in peace talks, Local TV reported. The Frontier Post.
