Pakistan and the Taliban set to open peace talks

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.

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.

Sharif's team comprises veteran journalists Rahimullah Yusufzai and Irfan Siddiqui, former ambassador Rustam Shah Mohmand and a retired major from the ISI intelligence service, Amir Shah.

The Taliban team includes Maulana Sami ul-Haq, known as the "Father of the Taliban"; the chief cleric of Islamabad's Red Mosque Maulana Abdul Aziz; and two top religious party leaders - Mufti Kifayatullah and Prof Ibrahim Khan.

Maulana ul-Haq said that following the preliminary talks, they would discuss with the militant leadership how to proceed.

"We expect a ceasefire from both the government and the Taliban - it's mandatory for the peace process," he said.

He added that the TTP had not yet put forward any formal demands for the talks, although correspondents say the group has repeatedly said it wants sharia (Islamic law) to be imposed throughout Pakistan.

Government negotiator Rahimullah Yusufzai questioned whether those picked to negotiate for the Taliban would really represent them.

"A number of things still need to be clarified. The Taliban have named a committee which is outside their movement, people who are politicians, who believe in peaceful struggle for Islamic rule, they are part of the committee. So we are waiting for clarifications, whether these people really can represent the Taliban."

He added: "We don't have any illusions, we know it's going to be very challenging."

Pakistani politician Ian Khan was also asked to be part of the TTP team but declined the offer.

The former cricketer's Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said he was not needed at the talks as another party figure is on the government team.

Khan, the leader of the PTI, has been a strong supporter of negotiating with the insurgents.

Sharif's announcement that the talks would go ahead took many in Pakistan by surprise.

In an address to the National Assembly last week, he said terrorism must be defeated, either by talks or force, and he was giving peace a last chance.

Sharif, who was elected last May, has been under mounting pressure to bring the violence under control.