DHAKA: A team of Pakistani government representatives have arrived in the tribal region of North Waziristan for peace talks with the Taliban.

It is the first direct contact between the two sides since peace moves began last month, reports the BBC.

The government team flew by helicopter from Peshawar to meet Taliban negotiators at an undisclosed location.

Militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have been waging an insurgency in Pakistan since 2007.

Thousands have been killed in the violence.

The talks initiative was announced this year by Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif after a spate of attacks.

The government says extending a one-month ceasefire is top of the agenda at Wednesday’s talks.

The militants, who are fighting for their austere version of Sharia law across Pakistan, have repeatedly rejected the country`s constitution. Many observers say that makes any lasting deal unlikely.

The TTP also comprises many factions, which makes a deal complicated to reach.

BDST: 1913 HRS, MAR 26, 2014