Pakistani government, Taliban start talks in undisclosed locationFebruary 6, 2014 - 15:01 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The first formal meeting between the Pakistani government and a Taliban-nominated team has begun in an undisclosed location. They are due to start charting a "roadmap" for peace talks, BBC News reported, citing local media outlets. The talks were delayed earlier in the week after the government side asked for clarification about the composition of the Pakistan Taliban team. Militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have been waging an insurgency inside Pakistan since 2007. The talks initiative was announced last week by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, following a spate of attacks. More than 100 people, including soldiers, died in Taliban attacks across the country in January. Thousands have been killed since the TTP came to the fore in 2007. The chief negotiator for the government side, Irfan Siddiqui, said the government committee would attend the talks with "an open mind", according to the Pakistan Tribune. Joining Siddiqui on the government team is veteran journalist Rahimullah Yusufzai, former ambassador Rustam Shah Mohmand and a retired major from the ISI intelligence service, Amir Shah. The three-man TTP team comprises Maulana Sami ul-Haq, known as the "Father of the Taliban", the chief cleric of Islamabad's Red Mosque, Maulana Abdul Aziz and Ibrahim Khan. Photo: AP Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. Armenians stage more campaigns against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Protesters blocked more roads across Armenia on Friday, April 26 in continuing attempts to scuttle territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Czech-Armenian military cooperation discussed in Yerevan A delegation led by the Director General for the Industrial Cooperation Division of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic visited Armenia. |