The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has denied media reports that the government was holding peace talks with the terrorist group.
Private media reported on Saturday that peace talks with the Taliban have begun, while some said there had been initial contacts with the terrorists.
According to the Daily Times, Shahidullah Shahid, main spokesman for the TTP, said that no contacts had been made between the group and any government official.
He categorically denied that any peace talks were held with the government on any level, adding that no contacts have even been made between the group, nor have they received any offer to initiate peace talks.
A newspaper quoted Information Minister Pervez Rashid as saying the government was in secret talks with the TTP.
According to the report, the reports of peace talks emerged almost two weeks after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made an offer to the extremists in his first televised address to the nation since taking office after winning elections in May.