| A 15-member grand peace jirga in Hangu asked the Hangu district administration on Tuesday to ceasefire and release Taliban prisoners to pave the way for an agreement with the militants. The jirga met Taliban leaders and discussed various options for reaching an agreement with the government. Jirga member Mufti Kifayatullah told journalists that the Taliban would abide by the jirga's decision. Local officials said Member of National Assembly (MNA) Pir Haidar Ali Shah, Member of NWFP Assembly (MPA) Mufti Syed Janan and Hangu Nazim Haji Khan Afzal Aurakzai had left for Peshawar to meet NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti to discuss conditions for a peace accord with the Taliban. Meanwhile, sources said hundreds of people staged a rally in support of peace in the Mohammad Khwaja area. The sources said protesters asked the government not to conduct a military operation and ensure safety of people's life and property. |