Uncertain future: Peace process in murky waters as TTP ceasefire ends

Taliban infighting, differences between govt, military delay face-to-face meeting.

ISLAMABAD:

As the extended ceasefire announced by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) came to an end on Thursday, the future of the fragile peace process once again seems uncertain.

With the Taliban plagued by infighting over the past few days and the civil and military authorities differing over how to proceed with negotiations, there is no clarity on either side as to whether the truce will continue. Still, both government and TTP negotiators are working on getting an extension.

The second face-to-face meeting between the TTP shura and the government peace committee – scheduled to take place before April 10 – could not be held as well for much the same reasons.

Fighting between two TTP factions – headed by Taliban commanders Said Khan alias Sajna and Sheharyar – broke out in the remote Shaktoi area on Monday. Over a three dozen fighters on either side have been killed since.

Around the same time, the army reportedly conveyed its concerns over the release of ‘non-combatant’ prisoners to the government. Senior government and military leaders have also traded remarks, which have added to uncertainty surrounding peace talks.

Talking to The Express Tribune, TTP intermediary Professor Muhammad Ibrahim confirmed the delay in holding the second face-to-face meeting. “There are difficulties on both sides,” he replied when asked about the reason for the delay.

“Infighting within the TTP and the recent statements by the army and civilian government were among the factors behind the delay,” he said. In addition to that, confidence between the Taliban and the government ‘has not been fully restored’, according to Prof Ibrahim.

“Both sides are making efforts to address the difficulties and we are hopeful for success, but the lack of confidence is one of the delaying factors,” he said. He did not explain the factors hindering the confidence-building process.

Last Saturday, the government announced intentions to free a dozen Taliban ‘non-combatants’ as a goodwill gesture, a day after TTP extended its ceasefire by six days and three days after releasing 19 other prisoners.

Responding to a question about the ceasefire, Ibrahim said: “Yes, the ceasefire is expiring today [Thursday] and we are trying to get another extension.”

“We are hopeful that we would get the extension,” he added. “[Although] we are trying for a permanent ceasefire, we are confident we will be able to extend it at least.”

It would be pertinent to mention that Maulana Samiul Haq, coordinator of the TTP intermediary committee, had said that the ceasefire would remain intact as long as the peace talks go on.

Although the government made no announcement yet, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan is scheduled to address the media here today [Friday] and it is a likely that the issue of talks will come under discussion.


Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2014.