Pakistani Taliban 'Temporarily Postpone' Peace Talk Offer

March 18, 2013

Pakistan's Taliban have “temporarily postponed” their offer of holding peace talks with the government in Islamabad.

In a video sent to reporters on March 18, a spokesman for the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (PTT) said the government has not shown a serious effort to follow through with negotiations.

Little progress has been made since the PTT leadership said they were open to peace talks late last year.

PTT spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan also called on voters to boycott the upcoming general elections and advised people to avoid rallies held by several major parties.

Parliament became last week the first in Pakistan's history to complete a full term in office.

Voters are due to elect new leaders by mid-May, with a precise date still to be determined.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP