Islamabad: The Taliban government has confirmed that Kabul hosted and mediated peace talks between the Islamabad government and the Pakistani Taliban, known as the TTP.
In a statement on Wednesday, Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the talks mediated by the "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan” were held in the capital Kabul. Mujahid reported "significant progress” in the talks, adding that both sides have agreed to observe a temporary ceasefire. The TTP have stepped up their violent campaign in recent months. The TTP are based along the Afghan-Pakistani border and follow the same hardline interpretation of Sunni Islam as their Afghan counterparts that swept to power last year, but they have a different organizational setup. (dpa)