Another Week of Hudna for Weary Pakistanis.

The Islamic concept of 'hudna' is translated in the West as 'peace treaty' while in fact, it means 'ceasefire', Muslims are bound, by scripture, to resume hostilities once they have regrouped. This is why the Pakistani Taliban's hiatus in hostilities is not the green shoot of peaceful settlement that this article from The Express Tribune yesterday seems to be suggesting:

TTP extend ceasefire till April 10 The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Friday announced the extension of ceasefire till April 10, Express News reported. The decision was reportedly taken during a meeting of the TTP shura and TTP spokesperson Shahidullah Shahid confirmed the announcement today. Shahidullah Shahid further said that they are waiting for a reply from the government and hope that it will be positive. "TTP is once again showing seriousness and responsibility, and in order to wait for an answer from the government, is extending the ceasefire until April 10," said Shahid. "The mujahideen are being ordered to cease all activities against the government and security forces for this period." The banned outfit had declared the ceasefire on March 1 in an effort to revive the peace initiative which had collapsed following the slaying of 23 paramilitary troops by the group’s Mohmand chapter. Reciprocating the move, the government had also called off surgical air strikes against suspected Taliban hideouts in the tribal belt. The TTP had asked all its affiliates to put a halt to all sorts of 'Jihadi' activities for a period of one month. This was conveyed in a short statement sent to the media by the group’s spokesperson. The government and the Taliban are in a second round of talks which have been described by their interlocutors as 'decisive'.