Pakistan's prime minister says talks have started with the domestic arm of the Taliban.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif offered no other details on Thursday about who was taking part or what would be discussed.
Sharif said the talks must take place inside the framework of Pakistan's constitution.
That could pose difficulties because the Pakistani Taliban is demanding a much harsher version of Islamic law across the country than allowed in the constitution.
Sharif was elected in part by promising to negotiate with militants in the country's northwest who have killed thousands of civilians and security forces.
However, the militants have shown little appetite for talks.
Sharif's comments came during a meeting in London with the British deputy prime minister and were released in a statement by the Pakistani High Commission there.
