DHAKA: The party of Pakistani cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan said on Monday they ‘appreciated’ a Taliban request for him to represent them in peace talks with the government, but declined the offer.

Two teams, nominated by the government and Tehreek-e-Taleban Pakistan (TTP), will hold a preliminary meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday afternoon to chart a ‘roadmap’ for talks.

Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif caused surprise last week by naming a team to begin dialogue with the militants, who have been waging a violent insurgency since 2007.

Following a bloody start to the year, with more than 110 people killed in militant attacks in January, many had been anticipating a military offensive against TTP strongholds in Pakistan’s tribal areas, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1934 HRS, FEB 03, 2014