Peace initiative: Govt negotiators given ‘open mandate’ for talks

Committee asks Taliban to form their own negotiating team.

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has set out an open mandate for a four-member committee of negotiators to formally initiate peace talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), inviting the grouping on Friday to follow suit and constitute its own negotiating team.

The committee discussed several issues relating to the proposed dialogue process in three back-to-back meetings on Friday. “We’ve been given an open mandate and complete authority to initiate dialogue,” Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Affairs Irfan Siddiqui told a news conference in the federal capital.

“We’re waiting for the Taliban’s response so that a proper mechanism could be put in place for talks,” he said. The prime minister is ready to spare one hour daily for the committee which shows he wants the process to be speedy and meaningful.

“In our 45-minute meeting today, the prime minister gave us some guidelines. We also discussed the framework and strategy for the proposed talks,” Siddiqui said. “Premier Nawaz wishes the process to start immediately.” Siddiqui also indicated that more members could join the committee in coming days.



Earlier Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan also briefed the committee about peace efforts made so far. The committee comprises Irfan Siddiqui, senior journalist Rahimullah Yousafzai, former Inter-Services Intelligence official Major (retd) Mohammad Amir and former ambassador Rustam Shah Mohmand.

“We touched upon all topics, particularly the committee’s mandate and rules for negotiations with the TTP,” Siddiqui said of the second meeting. “We want results in days and weeks.”

The government has conveyed its message to the TTP through the media and called upon the Taliban to announce its team of negotiators after a meeting of their Shura, he added. The committee members also requested both the government and the Taliban not to make any statement that could vitiate the atmosphere for dialogue.

Once the Taliban constitutes a committee, Siddiqui said, the two sides will decide the venue and agenda of talks. “On the occasion, special prayers were also offered for success of the dialogue process,” he said.

“Since we wish to enter the dialogue with an open heart and without any preconditions, the government may also involve some more individuals to facilitate the talks, if needed.”

Separately, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson, Dr Shireen Mazari confirmed a meeting between Imran Khan and two members of the committee. Mazari said Rahimullah Yousafzai and Rustam Shah met with the PTI chief, who assured his support to the committee to hold dialogue with the TTP.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2014.