TTP talks are ‘illegitimate’ without parliament’s approval: Bilawal

PPP chairman says he will oppose agreement with the banned group since lawmakers were not taken on board

ISLAMABAD:

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed serious concerns over the ongoing talks between the government and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), saying that any agreement with the banned outfit will have no legitimacy without parliament’s approval.

He said this while speaking to media following an in-camera session of the national security committee of the parliament, wherein military officials briefed the lawmakers on security related matters.

His statement comes soon after Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry confirmed that the PTI government had reached an agreement of a "complete ceasefire" with the TTP.

The minister said authorities in neighbouring Taliban-controlled Afghanistan had facilitated the talks.

The PPP leader said that he will not comment on the session because the briefing was in camera and off the record.

As far as the policy about Afghanistan is concerned, Bilawal said, negotiations or any agreement with the TTP cannot be reached unilaterally without taking the approval of National Assembly and Senate.

Also read: Govt, TTP agree on a 'complete ceasefire': Fawad

“Any policy without the approval of the parliament will have no legitimacy,” he added.

Bilawal said that he will continue to criticise the government for holding negotiations with the TTP since no one was taken on board on the matter.

“Who are they to decide on begging the TTP for talks and unilaterally engage the TTP which martyred our soldiers, national leadership and the children of APS? A policy approved by the parliament will be a better policy with legitimacy,” he remarked.

Later, Bilawal along with other PPP parliamentarians attended a meeting at the Opposition Leader's chamber in the National Assembly.

Talking to journalists after the meeting, he said that the entire opposition stood united against the government on the issue of price hike.

Bilawal said the government's bid to “steal the votes” through electronic voting machines and “political victimisation” through amending the NAB ordinance was apparent.

“We will raise a unanimous voice for the people in the parliament and will defeat the conspiracy of rigging elections and political victimisation,” he added.