Sources told Dawn News the “direct, face-to-face” talks between the two sides being held in Afghanistan’s south-western Khost province for nearly two weeks had resulted in a tentative understanding to declare a countrywide truce, conditional to the release of some TTP foot soldiers as part of confidence-building measures.

It was not immediately clear how many militants in Pakistan’s custody would be allowed to go free, but sources said the number was not more than two dozen.

“These are foot soldiers, not senior or mid-level commanders,” the sources told the Pakistani newspaper. “We are testing the ground. We are cautious,” they added.

“The truce will come into effect once the prisoners are released,” these sources said, requesting not to be named because they were not authorised to speak to the media.

“The tentative month-long truce shall be extendable, depending on how these negotiations go forward,” a source said.

It is not known yet who is communicating from Pakistan's side with the TTP.

The interior minister of Afghanistan’s Taliban regime, Sirajuddin Haqqani, has been playing a mediating role between Pakistan and the TTP, bringing the two sides under one roof to engage in face-to-face talks, said another source to Dawn News.

“Talks are being held directly between senior Pakistani officials and senior TTP leadership, and the TTP includes all groups without exception,” the source added.