Taliban says it is holding peace talks

Pakistan's offshoot of the Taliban is holding exploratory peace talks with the government, a Taliban commander claimed.

Past peace pacts with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan have failed to bring stability, and merely helped the umbrella group consolidate.

The discussions are focused on the South Waziristan region on the Afghan border and could be expanded to try to reach a comprehensive deal.

The Taliban's demands included the release of prisoners and the withdrawal of Pakistani forces from South Waziristan. REUTERS