ISLAMABAD:
A senior militant commander, Maulvi Faqir, has said that his group has called off talks with the government which was “playing tricks”.
Maulvi Faqir was the deputy of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakimullah Mehsud and the group’s head honcho in Bajaur Agency until early 2012 when he was deposed for his “unauthorised contacts” with the government.
“The government contacted me and some other TTP leaders through intermediaries several times – but the contacts were suspended because government officials were not serious,” Maulvi Faqir told The Express Tribune by phone from an undisclosed location.
He claimed that a religious group had mediated between them and the government.
“The Pakistani government is not independent in taking decisions as it is under the US pressure,” he added. “No one can refuse talks, but the government has always tricked us.”
About his sacking as TTP chief in Bajaur, Maulvi Faqir claimed that he himself had requested Hakimullah Mehsud to relieve him after he (Maulvi Faqir) had fled a military operation in his region in 2009.
However, moments later, he contradicted himself saying that the Taliban Shura had asked him to step down. “I had accepted the Shura decision to resign – but I still consider myself a member of the TTP,” he added.
Maulvi Faqir claimed that he and his fighters were now operating from the border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan. But security forces say he is based in eastern Afghanistan.
“We freely move across the border. There is no writ of the Afghan government in the areas where we live,” he added.
Sources close to the TTP, meanwhile, told The Express Tribune that the government has re-established contacts with the Taliban leaders to resume stalled talks.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 1st, 2012.
COMMENTS (12)
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Pakistan Army needs to understand that dealing with Common criminals like Taliban is not an option, dealing with them only disrespects the uniform and the very constitution they have promised to uphold. If Pakistan has to move forward with the international community and prosper, the Army needs to stop playing politics with such groups like Taliban, the Janghvis, the militants and sippas. The Army needs to assert its self and do what is necessary to protect Pakistan.
What is the agenda of TTP. It is for sure not Islam cause they are destroying Mosques, if it is justice they are demolishing schools, if it is sovereignty they are allowing foreigners to attack Pakistan.
@Javaad Ali: Please can you mention any single mosque of your dreamland which practice your dream. I hope not to offend you.
@azi, freedom seeker! As if they can kill him and they are not. Our forcemen are kids in front of these animals. They kidnap them in dozens and behead them. We can never win over them unless we embrace the locals and take them into confidence, and unless we get a trudt worthy govt which a common man can rely on. In the presence of pitthu govt local people who want peace hv to side these animals to protect themselves. Already hundreds of maliks and influential people hv been killed by them, and no one cd protect them. We need a daring leader with his own agenda to win this war.
i think our gov shudnt talk to thm instead teach the a lesson .. if they have 5000 to 10000 then we have almost and almost 180 million fighters soo we cant b taken lightly by these nonsense ppl ... i was angry after reading the report about the killing of our soldier and and i was thinkng that is dis da way r they promoting islam or sending negative image of muslims by holding an axe and having 13 heads infront shame on these animals kill them...
There is no point to talk to them...with the taste of blood in their buds, let them drink their own. Hit them and hit hard...that is the only alternative left.
Do not talk to these animals. They have the unmitigated gall to claim they are Muslims and then slaughter Allah's "makhlook". All of Allah's prophets have propagated His message of love, compassion, forgiveness and generosity (that is exactly what "Surah Fateha" highlights. It states Allah to be Rabb-ul-Alimeen i.e. the Cherisher of ALL creation, of ALL people. No prophet of Allah has taken human life. If we want to be true Muslims, we AND our mosques have to places of love and compassion where the further away a person is from Islam the MORE she or he is welcomed with open arms. THAT's how an Islamic system comes in. It DOES NOT and WILL NEVER come in through the murderous monsters like the so called talibaan.
If you want to see real progress, nominate IK to talk to these animals immediately and let him sign a peace deal. Easy said than done.
I think they do not trust Pakistani government. They are right that Pakistan has not authority to take independent decisions. They look towards what Washington says. It is also strange that Americans themselves talk to Taliban in Afghanistan but they keep on asking Pakistan to do more against the militants here
false propaganda that govt. is willing to talk but they themselves have suspended giving any excuse. The Election Commissioned / Federal Govt. should declare that Every political parties has to declare that they do not have any link with the terrorist organisations( which have been banned and or declared the enemy of the country) to participate in the election process. If the declaration is found to be false, at any stage their members shall be disqualified from the National / provincial assembly. and also their office bearers will not be able to participate in election from any other parties too for next 10 years. i am sure neither public nor judiciary too will oppose such rules/ legislation.
We just received 12 heads of our soldiers and they talk peace. They deserve to be killed along with their associates of all types.
Just shoot this guy in the face. Its not worth talking to these animals.