Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah has termed the demands of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) pertaining to the reversal of Fata merger and military withdrawal from tribal areas bordering Afghanistan as against the Constitution, saying that “talks are possible with only those who are willing to surrender their arms”.
In May, 2018, the National Assembly had paved the way for the merger of Fata with Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
During an interview with a local media outlet, the security czar clarified that names of terrorists linked to the Army Public School attack would never be considered for pardon.
Shedding light on the strength of the TTP fighters, Sanaullah said the proscribed terrorist group comprised at least 4,000 to 5,000 members.
“If Afghanistan’s political leaders will be in attendance then politicians from our side will also take part in the talks,” he said, emphasising that it was yet to be seen what kind of people would take part in the discussions from the other side.
Read Senators seek clarity over negotiations with TTP
The interior minister also said the outcome of the talks would take a few months instead of weeks, insisting that the military and civil leadership were on the same page regarding the TTP not to be allowed to take up any arms otherwise the “state won’t shy away from a fight”.
Sanaullah maintained that the military leadership had given assurance on possessing the capacity and power to sort out the prevailing issues with the TTP effectively.
He concluded that interference of foreign elements could not be ruled out in terrorist attacks across the country. “Some forces behind the TTP do not want peace in the country.”
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