( CNN ) -- Pakistani government representatives on Wednesday met the Taliban for peace talks in the tribal region of North Waziristan , in the first direct contact between the two sides . Militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan , or TTP , have long conducted an insurgency against the Pakistani government and have claimed a number of violent attacks . The government team flew by helicopter from Peshawar to meet the Taliban negotiators at an undisclosed location , sources and state media said . TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid told CNN the talks , which ended in the evening , were held in a conducive environment . He said both sides had agreed to extend a cease-fire , agreed on March 1 , and that there was consensus on the exchange of noncombatants held by both sides . He said both sides were optimistic . Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced the initiative this year , but talks broke down last month in the wake of attacks by the group . The government said extension of the cease-fire would top the agenda at the talks , according to Pakistan 's APP news agency . It also quoted a Taliban committee member as saying his side was demanding the release of noncombatants . The militants , who are fighting for their austere version of Sharia law across Pakistan , have repeatedly rejected the country 's constitution . Since taking office last year , Sharif faced mounting pressure to bring the violence under control . Pakistan suspends peace talks with Pakistani Taliban . CNN 's Marie-Louise Gumuchian contributed to this report .
Talks to be held in tribal region of North Waziristan . It 's the first direct talks between both sides . The government announced a cease - fire on March 1 . Pakistan prime minister is under pressure to bring situation under control .