PCNS unanimously agrees to continue talks with TTP

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Thursday said that the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) had unanimously agreed to continue talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The minister added that "all politicians attending the meeting have agreed" on continuing dialogue with the banned outfit and all further proceedings will be supervised by the parliament.

The PCNS on Tuesday formally endorsed the efforts aimed at seeking a peace deal with the outlawed TTP.

The development came after the military leadership told lawmakers that it was feared that the TTP might join hands with Da’ish Khorasan and Pakistan was compelled to seek a peace deal with the group involved in some of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the country, according to the closed door briefing.

In an in-camera briefing for the members of parliament and other political leaders, the country’s military leadership on Tuesday warned of devastating consequences for the country if the TTP joined hands with the Da’ish terrorist group.

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Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt General Nadeem Anjum and Peshawar Corps Commander Lt General Faiz Hameed briefed the PCNS about the talks with the TTP.

The in-camera meeting was attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and all other key political leaders. Fazlur Rehman, who is otherwise not a member of parliament, was also in attendance. Former prime minister Imran Khan was not invited to the meeting.

A participant of the meeting told The Express Tribune that Peshawar Corps Commander General Faiz Hameed gave a detailed briefing about the progress and background of the ongoing talks with the TTP.