Pakistan Taliban reject ceasefire extension

The renewal of a 40-day ceasefire between Pakistan's security forces and the Talibanwas rejected by the militant group on Wednesday according to its spokesperson.Shahidullah Shahid, a spokesperson for Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TT, said in astatement that the government had not taken any "serious" steps towards peaceduring the ceasefire period, leading the Taliban's consultative committee to decidenot to extend the ceasefire. Shahid confirmed that the group would remain part of the ongoing peace processaimed at ending Pakistan's 11-year long insurgency.“More than 50 companions have been tortured and killed in the security forces’custody in last 40 days,” said Shahid. “If the government shows any serious effort(with respect to peace talks), the Taliban too will give an appropriate response.”The TTP announced a month-long ceasefire on March 1, which later was extendedfor six days on April 4.Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called call an emergency meeting of the NationalSecurity Council on Thursday in reaction to the announcement.