The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamabad have reportedly agreed to an unannounced ceasefire during Pakistan’s election period, as facilitated by the Taliban in Afghanistan, according to a report by Express Tribune.
Despite 27 attacks occurring in Pakistan in January 2024, none were claimed by the TTP. Quoting sources, The Express Tribune’s Peshawar office reported that an unannounced ceasefire until the next general elections in Pakistan has been verbally agreed upon by both parties, with significant intervention from the Afghan government, particularly the Haqqani group.
The Express Tribune report also noted growing rifts between the TTP and its splinter group, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has publicly announced its plans to escalate attacks against Pakistani security forces.
Additionally, the report cited statements from Mehmood Madani, a prominent figure from the Mohmand tribal area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. An audio file released by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar featured Madani emphasizing the group’s readiness to confront its adversaries.
The role of Maulana Fazlur Rahman, leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan, was underscored following his visit to Afghanistan and meetings with the Taliban, as detailed by the Express Tribune.
This development indicates that the Pakistani Taliban, through the mediation of the Afghan Taliban’s Haqqani network, have verbally consented to a ceasefire with Islamabad for the duration of the elections.
While Mohammad Khorasani, spokesperson for the Pakistani Taliban, has not made a public statement about the ceasefire, he has not linked any recent attacks in Pakistan to the TTP.
