Taliban empower Maulana Samiul Haq to announce ceasefire

ISLAMABAD: Taliban have given authority to Maulana Sami ul Haq to declare ceasefire, ARY News reported on Thursday.                                                        

Secretary Information Jamiat-e-Ulema (Samiul Haq group) Makhdom Muhammad Asim said Taliban had given authority to Maulana Sami to announce ceasefire. If an accord is reached with the government, Maulana will announce ceasefire, added JUI-s leader.                                                        

On the other side, Taliban committee member Prof Ibrahim has confirmed that Taliban had authorized Maulana Sami to announce ceasefire on their behalf.

Prof Ibrahim cited Taliban as saying that ceasefire should be declared simultaneously from both the sides. Taliban also demanded that its men should not be killed in custody and their arrests be stopped forthwith.

JUI-S leader said government had first demanded from the Taliban to announce ceasefire from their side. He said talks with Taliban should continue. He said Friday will be observed as ‘Day of Prayers’ in a hope to restore peace in the country.

He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif played his best role in peace talks.