Leading Sunni scholars and religious leaders today called on the Pakistani Taliban to announce a ceasefire to make the peace talks with the government a success.
A group of 15 leading scholars and religious leaders led by Maulana Rafi Usmani and Taqi Usmani met in Karachi.
"The scholars believe to make the peace process a success the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan must announce a ceasefire to their operations immediately," Maulana Rafi Usmani said.
"We welcome the announcement by the TTP to respond to the peace talk offers from the government but both parties need to guard against foreign forces who will try to disrupt the peace process," he said.
Maulana Taqi Usmani said that it was necessary for the Taliban to suspend militant activities because an environment of peace and trust is required to make the peace process a success.
In contrast, a meeting of the Sunni Ittehad Council which represents the Barelvi sect rejected the peace talks and termed any negotiations with the Taliban as an insult to the thousands of people killed in terrorist attacks.
"We dismiss these talks and if nothing else it shows this government is a tool of the Taliban," Sahibzada Hamid Raza said.
