A grand tribal jirga (council) on Saturday negotiated a one-month extension to the ceasefire in North Waziristan between local militants and government forces, officials said. The jirga led by Maulana Nek Zaman, National Assembly member from North Waziristan, held talks with local Taliban commanders at an undisclosed location east of Miranshah, official sources said. "The jirga has successfully negotiated a ceasefire extension, which is now effective till August 25," officials said after jirga members returned to Miranshah after a meeting with Taliban. A spokesman for the Governor's FATA Secretariat in Peshawar confirmed the ceasefire extension and release of six paramilitary troops by Taliban. "I think the jirga is doing well," he said.