Pakistan-Taliban peace talks falter

ISLAMABAD, Feb 4, (AFP): Negotiators for the Pakistani Taliban said Tuesday that government representatives had refused to show up for planned peace talks, citing confusion over the militants' team.
The two sides had been due to gather in Islamabad at 2:00 pm (0900 GMT) to chart a "roadmap" for talks, amid a surge in militant violence and scepticism about the chances of reaching a negotiated peace. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif caused surprise last week by announcing a team to begin dialogue with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has been waging a violent insurgency since 2007.
Many observers had been anticipating a military offensive against TTP strongholds in Pakistan's tribal areas, following a bloody start to the year. More than 110 people were killed in militant attacks in January, many of them military personnel.
The head of the TTP's talks committee, hardline cleric Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, said he was disappointed the government team had failed to show up as agreed.
"I received a phone call from Irfan Siddiqui who said confusion still persisted because the composition of the Taliban committee has changed from five to three," Haq said. Siddiqui is leading the government negotiators.
"Citing this reason, he said the government committee could not come." AFP were unable to reach the government for an immediate comment.
Washington has long pressured Pakistan to take action against militants using tribal areas as a base to attack NATO troops across the border in Afghanistan.
Talk of a full offensive in North Waziristan rose last month when the air force bombarded suspected Taliban hideouts following two major attacks on military targets.