The government has freed at least 100 Tehreek-e-Taliban prisoners as a “goodwill gesture” to reciprocate the ceasefire announced by the group earlier this month, The Express Tribune reported on Monday.

The story, which was filed by Jamshed Baghwan from Peshawar, attributes security officials to the development.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the officials said that most of the released TTP prisoners were undergoing de-radicalisation and rehabilitation at the internment centres set up by the government.

“Most of the released inmates have not completed a six-month mandatory de-radicalisation and rehabilitation programme,” one official said. “The rest were ordinary foot soldiers.”

They also clarified that the prisoners were not released in compliance with any demand from the TTP, which is currently engaged in negotiations with the government. “The Taliban prisoners were released as a goodwill gesture,” the official added.

Earlier this month, the TTP announced in a statement that it had reached an agreement with the government to cease hostilities for one month. “The ceasefire agreement between the Pakistan government and the TTP will remain in effect for one month. It could be extended should the two sides agree,” the group said in a statement. “It would equally apply to both sides.”

The security officials told The Express Tribune that there have been no direct talks between the two sides and that they are engaged through intermediaries.

Reacting to the development, columnist Mosharraf Zaidi said: "The circus is now rollin through the graveyard of Pakistani martyrs with an excavator. Mocking your own dead cops, soldiers and civilians like this is a new low."

“goodwill”

the circus is now rollin through the graveyard of Pakistani martyrs with an excavator.

mocking your own dead cops, soldiers and civilians like this is a new low. https://t.co/xrT6J72InH

— Mosharraf Zaidi (@mosharrafzaidi) November 23, 2021

Journalist Hamid Mir agreed.

Another user commented on the TTP's past practices with prisoners.

While another user spoke of the double standards used by the government in dealing with the TTP.

Replying to Zaidi's tweet, journalist Hamid Mir said: "Goodwill with good killers what’s your problem?"

Goodwill with good killers what’s your problem? https://t.co/Dmpci3rACn

— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirPAK) November 23, 2021