Pakistan peace talks with Taliban off to a rocky start

Pakistan's government failed to meet Taliban negotiators in Islamabad.

17:25 04 February 2014

Pakistan's peace talks with Taliban got off to a shaky start when government representatives were not able to meet Taliban negotiators in Islamabad. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan negotiators expressed anger and disappointment at the news.

Lead Taliban negotiator Sami ul-Haq said: "It was decided yesterday that we'll sit today and work out a strategy by mutual consent about how and where to start. So it is disappointing. They (the government team) haven't taken a single step (towards talks) yet."

Meanwhile, Irfan Siddiqui, the government's lead negotiator said that his team is just waiting for information on the make-up of the Taliban team. He said: "We want the talks to be meaningful... We can start as soon as we know this."

As well as Mr Siddiqui, Mr Sharif's team comprises another veteran journalist Rahimullah Yusufzai, former ambassador Rustam Shah Mohmand and a retired major from the ISI intelligence service, Amir Shah.

Because of the tension between the government and the militant group, some Pakistanis are worried that the failed talks will allow militants to gain strength.

Previous peace deals with the Pakistani Taliban have all failed.