DHAKA: Preliminary peace talks between the Pakistani government and the Taliban are due to get under way in the capital, Islamabad, later on Tuesday.

At their first meeting, negotiators nominated by the government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are to chart a ‘roadmap’ for dialogue.

The militants have been waging an insurgency since 2007.

Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif announced last week that the peace talks would go ahead, despite a spate of attacks.

In January more than 100 people, including many soldiers, died in Taliban attacks across the country.

As a result, many analysts had been expecting a military offensive against TTP strongholds in Pakistan’s tribal areas, reports the BBC.

BDST: 1204 HRS, FEB 04, 2014