Ehsanullah Ehsan claims that the security forces and government are not serious about the peace dialogue. ILLUSTRATION: JAMAL KHURSHID/FILE
Citing what they believe to be the non-serious attitude of the security forces and government, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) announced on Monday that it was postponing the peace talks.
In an eight minute video released by the TTP from an undisclosed location, its spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan claimed that the security forces and government are not serious about the peace dialogue, which is why the TTP have decided to postpone the peace talks.
With masked armed men standing behind him, the TTP spokesperson further demanded that the people not participate in the public gatherings and rallies of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Awami national Party (ANP), claiming both of these parties are on the TTP’s (hit) list.
Influential politic-religious leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman asked the government earlier in March to give the go-ahead for peace talks with the Taliban.
Addressing a gathering at the provincial secretariat of his eponymous faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, the Maulana said that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the outlawed umbrella of militant groups, has expressed confidence in a tribal jirga which has been trying to broker peace in the region.
The PPP-led government, however, did not respond to the Taliban offer, and Interior Minister Rehman Malik insisted that the Taliban "back had been broken" which forced the militants to attempt dialogue.
The TTP have been involved in a string of attacks on both Pakistani civilians and military personnel. They had claimed responsibility for the bomb attack on ANP minister Bashir Bilour in December.
COMMENTS (29)
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It is absurd to think that the TTP are being supported by the U.S./NATO from across the border. If anything we’ve been criticized for pressuring Pakistani forces to go after the terrorist safe havens inside Pakistan. On the other hand, the TTP have warned the Pakistani government for working with the U.S. on several occasions. Do you remember when they were against the idea of reopening the NATO supply route through Pakistan? Do you remember the attack on the U.S. convoy in Peshawar by the TTP? Let me remind you what the Taliban spokesman, Ahsanullah Ahsan, said after the attack: "The diplomatic staff of all Nato countries are our targets. We will continue such attacks. Pakistan is our first target, and America is our second." If we choose to dissolve ourselves in conspiracy theories, then we have no one to blame but ourselves for allowing our common enemies to leap ahead. Our nations have made a lot of sacrifices in this decade long war against terrorism. It is our wish and desire to see stability prevail in Pakistan for the sake of achieving our common objectives. That’s why we are working closely with the Pakistani government on addressing our shared concerns. We want to develop a healthy working relationship that will benefit both nations in the long term. Those who continue to bring allegations against the U.S. must remember that it is only in our best interest to see a safe and stable Pakistan.
Ali Khan
Both TTP and the government are insincere and dishonest to proceed peace talks and negotiations with each other because both parties' terms and conditions for peace talks and negotiations are unacceptable and unpractical for each other and both parties have been fooling and deceiving the nation intentionally on the name of peace talks and negotiations and now the next elected government shall decide that how the peace talks and negotiations shall be proceeded in the future with TTP????
@Raj - USA: Fully agree with your comments that TTP main objective is to rule Pakistan as it is unlikely that they would divert their attention to Afghanistan after 2014. May God/Allah give some wisdom to those who are perceiving such foolhardy thoughts and believing the same to succeed. The condition of Pakistan is like a pigeon who on confronting a cat closes its eyes, only to be eaten up by it.
PPP-Led Govt, has no interest left in anything as their term has already been expired, Atleast TTP should understand it, if they are intelligent enough, they should wait for the next govt. to hold Peace talks and if they wants peace Talks in real. However I thought negotiation is the only way to peace, Leaders should find a way to rectify the issues by Targeting Talibans through education, recognition and equality instead of using force against them. Lets de-weaponize them by changing their minds and by wining the hope of their people, I dont have a soft corner for any extremist or terrorist but we dont have any other options left. it is the only way to completly wipe out this issue. Any Use of extreme force can not abolish them and their mindset, may be you can make them weaker for a short period but they will rise with the passage of time. Its not my own predictions. History tells us about this phenomenon. and the ones who are intelligent enough learns from theri past practices
my message to Our Respectable Army:
Please stop using them for your own purposes, They will be turn against you in long run as they are now, give them their rights instead of weapons.
Why just PPP, ANP and MQM? Why not PML(N), PTI and Musharraf's APML? He's coming back isn't he? It's not because PPP, ANP and MQM have been in government. PML(N) has also been in government. It's not because they are anti-establishment. PML(N) is supposed to be anti-establishment. Why single out these three parties? One main difference is that they hold their popularity in smaller provinces. In other words, they are not Punjab-based or Punjab dominating parties. But it also shows that they are the ones that will have to carry the dead bodies so that the establishment can derail the elections. With such greater soldiers acting behind the scenes, the future of this country is brighter than ever !
Is this cue enough for our govt and nation to take the final battle to the TTP, head on?
TTP just mentioned the names of their obvious supporters without saying it and of the ones who stand next to their 25thousand murdered innocent Pak citizens. So much for the dark ghosts of the "undisclosed" locations. Ha!
@amir jafri: Did your keyboard run out of ink??? Please tell us just HOW TTP "advice" is an "Inside Job" for three main parties??? Have some 30,000 plus Pakistanis been slaughtered by TTP/militants just "to get Western Support" as you appear to claim?
Pakistan had been waiting for withdrawal of US and NATO forces from Afghanistan so that they can use TTP against Afghanistan. I have seen numerous talk shows where anchors and guests were saying that Pakistan will control Afghanistan through talibans as soon as US and NATO forces vacate the region. However, TTP is also waiting for US and NATO forces to leave the region so that they can take over Pakistan. TTP's first and final goal is to take over Pakistan and not Afghanistan.
The so called India backing TTP is creating havoc in Pakistan and Pakistan wants to have peace talks with it? Where is the Generalismo that we will use nukes against India. Why are you not using on our puppets. Scared?
All three are secular or secularish parties and they should be shunned by muslims...TTP "advice" is an inside job by these very parties to garner sympathy votes and to get WESTERN support.
"......but pml noons arite :-)......they cool n all that ....so just go ahead and attend in their rallies.....theyre our bosses"
It is like saying we are going to let go we are not good at i.e peace and start doing we have no match in i.e killing.
We as Pakistanis have tested PPP and PML-N already. Now the chance should be given to PTI. If you have noticed that PTI party elections proved that they believe in true democracy. I want to ask the worker of PML-N and PPP that CAN THEY THINK OF BECOMING PARTY PRESIDENT OR GENERAL SECRETARY OF THEIR PARTY???? I am sure that they can not answer this question and because they can not answer they will comment something irrelevant on my question.
The peace talks were going to end up nowhere anyway just like 10 times before.
This now pretty much explains what will happen to Pakistan if either of JUI, PTI or PML-N come into power.
Plzz vote for these parties if u people are sensible enough..
It is crystal clear to most people who are the real friends of TTP and other terrorists. These terrorists hate every secular and democratic party and love their own rightwing leaders. Some apologists are even making the victims responsible for the crimes of TTP.
Probably, TTP do not want to talk with the out going government and will wait until the new government will take charge after the elections in Pakistan.
TTP is now worried about their fate after 2014 withdrawl of NATO troops. they will have no justification to continue their terrorism activities and even their like minded parties like JUI,PTI and JI will lose support of their supporters as well.
Prepare for your graves in 2014, you TTP animals.
Seems to me that being on the "hit list" of a terrorist organization which massacres civilians and beheads Pakistani soldiers would be a plus - makes you wonder about those political parties which are not on the "hit list".
TTP: Enough of your murder of thousands of Pakistanis! Enough of your lies and deceipt! Give it up!
People of Pakistan should defy these barbarians and don't vote for those parties who are their apologists and also seeking support from sectarian organisations.
After reading this, iam now hundred percent sure that the future of Pakistan is in safe hands (Inshallah) They don't hate Imran khan which clearly shows that if he becomes a pm or something, the PTI would negotiate with them and the law and order situation would come back to its roots as it was a couple of years ago.
All political parties should stand united against terrorists and should not allow them to interfere in election campaign. To prove solidarity with these three political parties, PTI should postpone its 23rd march concert.
There has been a 5.4 Richter earthquake in Pakistan. . Why has this not been reported in ET?
Now public understood the new party JUI (T) !!!!!!!!!!!!!
a missed opportunity from the government....perhaps because of pressure from a certain segment of society? Everyone who was against the peace talks (internet warriors and their brave columnist leaders) should prepare to fight in tribal areas. Let them put their internet bravery into action.
both party should face the consequences of not taking action against them. I will be happy, as they haven't saved pakistanis