According to a report by Express Tribune, Islamabad and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have established an unannounced ceasefire during the election period in Pakistan, which has been facilitated by the Afghan Taliban.
The newspaper noted that despite 27 attacks which occurred in Pakistan in January 2024, the TTP did not claim responsibility for any of them.
The Express Tribune report further highlighted growing differences between the TTP and its breakaway faction, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar has publicly declared its intention to intensify attacks against Pakistani security forces.
The report also mentioned statements from Mehmood Madani, a key figure from the Mohmand tribal area in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In an audio file released by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, Madani emphasised on the group's readiness to attack its opponents.
The influence of Maulana Fazlur Rahman, leader of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan, became quite apparent following his visit to Afghanistan and discussions with the Taliban, as reported by the Express Tribune.
The report indicates that the Pakistani Taliban, through mediation by the Afghan Taliban's Haqqani network, have verbally agreed to a ceasefire with Islamabad during the elections.
While Mohammad Khorasani, spokesperson for the Pakistani Taliban, has not publicly addressed this ceasefire, he has not attributed any of the recent attacks in Pakistan to the TTP.
