Pakistani government denies reports of peace talks with the Taliban

Pakistani government denies reports of peace talks with the Taliban

2011-11-23 07:34:17 GMT+7 (ICT)

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- The Pakistani government on Tuesday denied media reports that it is holding peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban, which had reportedly ordered a nationwide ceasefire.

A spokesperson for Pakistan's Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said it 'strongly and categorically' rejects media reports which claim the country's armed forces is undertaking any kind of negotiations with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or affiliated militant groups.

"Such reports are concocted, baseless and unfounded," the ISPR spokesman stated, adding that any contemplated negotiation or reconciliation process with militant groups has to be approved and conducted by the Pakistani government.

Earlier Pakistani media reports had claimed that the TTP had announced a ceasefire in order to hold peace talks with government officials. A senior Taliban commander also claimed the group has not launched attacks since October.

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