PHOTO: REUTERS
Imran Khan of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Mufti Kifayatullah of Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) announced on Monday they would be backing out of the talks.
The government’s committee delayed the meeting scheduled to be held on Tuesday because its members wanted further clarification from the TPP before the dialogue process formally began.
According to Irfan Siddiqui, coordinator for the government's negotiation committee, the meeting scheduled to be held on Tuesday was delayed because its members wanted a few clarification from the TPP before the dialogue process formally began.
The Taliban, however, said they trust the three members in their committee and they will go ahead with the negotiation process.
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@Muneeb Iqbal: Excellent observation. CentCom Media Funds talking. Same as they did in 1971. Same purpose too.
@unbelievable: "USA doesn’t have a policy which suggest that Pakistan shouldn’t talk to the TTP."
Droning a TTPpeacemaker negotiator at the doorstep of his meeting with like minded peace seekers does not count...in your opinion?
I could give you a long list of US actions that underline its destabilizing policy for Pakistan in particular and for the region in general...but that may be beyond your pay grade.
I wonder what will Jinnah be thinking now.
@Muneeb Iqbal:
Sounds grand - except that the USA doesn't have a policy which suggest that Pakistan shouldn't talk to the TTP. Like most anti USA blather your comment is long on emotion but short on facts.
@Sceptic
"Why IK has backed out when for last ten years he has been harping for the talks?"
He has been (and still is) in the favour of talking WITH the Taliban. His party is already has a representative on government side (Mr . Momand). He never said that he wants to be a Taliban representative in the talks. So he is part of the talks. I hope this clarifies your confusion.
@goggi (Lahore):
"The mere consent of negotiations with these mass murderers is a declaration of a painful defeat and a destructive and primitive trend-setter for us and our future generations."
Well Pakistan (under brave commando) jumped into the war and followed US policy of fighting the Taliban. There was no TTP at that time. As a result of the policy, TTP was born. Now US and Afghan gov are talking with Taliban at multiple levels. Nothing wrong if Pakistan follows them in this policy as well.
Last 12 years of war has multiplied the numbers of Taliban not reduced them, TTP, Punjabi Taliban and some other radical groups were formed during last 10 years as a result. Real war should have been fought elsewhere. Providing quality education (both secular as well as religious) all across Pakistan and providing basic social justice. Corruption in Pakistani and Afghan judicial system is well known. Taliban seem to provide an illusion of quick justice.
Also why can gov of ISLAMIC republic not provide religious education in government schools. Why do I have to rely on a madarassa. for that. People rarely send their kids to a madarrasa as first choice, usually it is because they cannot afford regular schools.
Investment in education could have taken away the reason why kids go to a seminary in the first place.US spent almost a Billion dollars a day in Afghanistan, just a small fraction of that could have prevented kids from going to Taliban making factories. After 12 years we could have had a new generation coming out of schools with a different mentality. Pakistan followed US in a flawed policy and is reaping the results. US dollars (for cooperation) and oil money from middle east (to gov as well as madarassas) seemed a good short term policy but a big flop in the long run.
How many examples can one provide of a business man, technician or a professional in any field wearing a suicide vest. Why are almost all extremists either jobless, educated in a madarassa or are there for revenge because some one in their family was killed by a drone, US or Pakistani bomb? Sole Super power of the world has failed in preventing spread of extremism and so will Pakistan if they follow same policy. You need to address the root cause, just bandage cannot cure cancer.
So to summarise, talks are a good start, but not the only solution. Good education, justice and economic opportunities are better way to prevent extremism. US can run away once again, but Pakistan has to deal with the issues and consequences, so it is time to get wise and make a long term strategy. We have already wasted 12 years and it will take same or more time to get rid of the root cause of extremism.
@Muneeb Iqbal:
So people hitting like buttons are also controlled by America? So what is America's policy about pakistan? exactly?
@ toni and jibran you guys are perfect example of how et is trying to distort the opinions of Pakistani public. All those comments that reflects US policy and are against Pakistan's interests get the highest recommendations. NY times is doing well except that its getting too obvious now and people are moving to other websites.
The mere consent of negotiations with these mass murderers is a declaration of a painful defeat and a destructive and primitive trend-setter for us and our future generations.
Just the breaking news of another blast confirms the folly of this idea of talking to the killers
Why IK has backed out when for last ten years he has been harping for the talks?
Guys in the committee should be tried for high treason. There should be absolutely no sympathy for these traitors.
Mr. Irfan Siddiqui should not waste time now. What clarifications he needs? He should know their demands. These are same demands which he has been making in his columns.
no to talks