A file photo of Taliban fighters. PHOTO: AFP
TTP spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan said on Friday that the political ‘shura’ or council of the Taliban described the All Parties Conference's announcement to empower a tribal jirga to begin peace talks with the Taliban, the army, and all other decision makers as ‘welcoming’.
On Thursday, delegates at an all parties conference (APC), hosted by the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), had declared their trust in a more expansive grand tribal jirga and tasked its members with immediately engaging all ‘concerned parties,’ including the Taliban, for the sake of peace in the country.
The APC, which was attended by as many as 30 political and religious groupings, concluded on Thursday with a five-point declaration. However, the declaration lacked both a timeframe and clearcut terms of references (ToRs) to engage the concerned parties for the peace process. The APC also did not specify the parties (forces) with whom the talks would be held.
The joint declaration was signed by leaders of all participating parties. The declaration recommended that the already established grand tribal jirga, under the leadership of the APC leaders, be further expanded by including leaders from all schools of thought. Secondly, it recommended a trust to be established for the welfare of the injured persons and families of those killed in various incidents of ‘lawlessness’ (the APC avoided using the word terrorism). The APC also asked the grand jirga to start negotiations with concerned parties under the leadership of the participating parties of the APC. It also called for taking practical measures to end lawlessness and support every effort for the implementation of rule of law in the country.
The last point in the declaration stated that the incumbent and interim governments as well as the next government and opposition would be responsible for implementing the recommendations of the APC.
COMMENTS (22)
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Its ironic that after five years, our political leaders have suddenly felt the need to hold negotiations with the TTP. What about those thousands of innocent people who lost their lives due to TTP's barbarism? I never saw of heard the JUI-F openly condemning TTP activities during the last five years.
It seems to me that the political parties are trying to hold "talks" with the TTP so that the TTP allows them to hold their political rallies peacefully before the elections.
talk talk talk and have a good dinner
Its a shame for the whole nation that our political leaders and army leaders are not on the same page. The reason is that political leaders are scared and want to cover their backs in case army leaders unleash these Taliban monsters on them. Its a trust issue.
Reminds me of the phrase they use to end "counter strike". It goes like "terrorists win". Why did 30000 people hav to die before our leadership decided to talk. Is is all about Elections? I feel sick if that is why everything good or bad happens to us!
Those who are now speaking in the favore of Army will also be brought down to their knees soon... They are the ugliest face of enemies of the state
We would not have been having this discussion if only criminals/lawless/terrorists were punished for their crimes justly and swiftly - regardless of their affiliation. Even if 10-20% had met the fate they deserved we would have been in lot better position. All the institutions are responsible of not doing that, but courts are the weakest link with 0% performance.
It means APC walo. Who care's
IT IS THE TIME WE CAME SO FARE ,NO DEAL W/SAVAGES ,WE SHOULD KILL ALL THOSE SAVAGES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.THOSE ARE COURAGES EX THEM.
pakistan is repeating the history of KUFFAH, compromises with murderers is now in our blood,..politics on the blood of innocents....but let me tell you this is not going to work for too long...
I hope a day comes when I read in the news, "Ehsan ullah ehsan was hanged in public for his crimes against humanity, the scene was witnessed by school going girls whose brothers and fathers lost their lives fighting these animals"
TTP says (or are going to say) that no talk with Pakistan Army can be meaningful or sincere unless the Pakistan army disarms itself first and surrenders its arms to TTP.
What a bunch of idiots these political parties are to call for an all party conference to start discussions for surrender with Uzbeks, Chechens, Arabs, Sudanese and all sorts of foreign terrorists who are occupying their land. Those who have missed seeing the brave & powerful Pakistan army in action at Paltan Maidan can soon see it at Gaddafi Stadium.
to be honest no one knows what to do. you sign peace treaty they still dont stop attacking, when you dont have a peace treaty they still attack. more than 40000 dead about 80 to 90 percent civilians.Only Allah knows how many agencies are involved in this and how may organizations have been formed. how many commanders and there agendas. I just hope this all ends soon... So we may live in peace...
three major question arises here: 1-what about those thousands of innocent pakistanis killed in taliban's attacks? 2-who will ensure that taliban will not try to impose their own cruel law (or what they call 'sharia law') after truce/peace treaty? 3-and if we had to do dialouge eventually, then what this all mess was about?
Whatever happended to the official narrative of the establishment including Zaid Ahmad that TTP is trained and funded by India?
Look at the beautiful candles they have in their hands.
army will not trade for the dead bodies of pakistanis by signing peace deals. a final ops will be the answer that you forces of Yazeed will get.
the only slavation for TTP is to accept their tyrannical acts and surrender to the entire nation for accountability.
There will not be any independent response from the Army. It has to be the response from government of Pakistan and Army will go along with the Government's response.
A TEAM welcome B TEAM's decision
APC and Tribal jirgas decisions are of no consequence whereas the military is the key player who decides all important issues in Pakistan. No wonder, TTP looks for the response of the powerful army who knows their former prodegy too well and has negotiated with them several times. Hope, the miltary doesn't even give an inch to these barbarians who have held whole of Pakistan to ransom.
Taliban declared that they won't attack Pakistan Army a while ago and killed 22 soldiers on very next day. how can you trust an enemy who has nothing to lose from negotiation! It will provide them to gain grip on ground which has been hit hard by law enforcers and army.
TTP is just buying some time, they are not sincere about the talks.
So it mean hypocracy wins over Truth..and truth ism that thousands of innocents killed by Taliban and their blood is in-vein