Senior government official calls offer "preposterous". PHOTO: AFP/FILE
The Taliban, in a letter sent to the Pakistan daily The News, also demanded that Pakistan stop its involvement in the war pitting Afghan insurgents against the Kabul government and refocus on a war of "revenge" against India.
The letter from Taliban spokesperson Amir Muawiya comes as the focus in Afghanistan shifts from a military push by Nato troops to potential peace talks, and amid speculation of a rift between top Pakistan Taliban leaders.
Military officials told Reuters last month that Pakistan Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud had lost operational command to his deputy, Waliur Rehman, who is considered to be more open to reconciliation with the Pakistani government. The Taliban deny Mehsud has lost command.
The TTP are a separate entity allied to the Afghan Taliban. They have launched devastating attacks against the Pakistani military and civilians.
"They are a bunch of criminals. This is not the Afghan Taliban. They are not open to talks," said one senior government official who called the Pakistan Taliban offer "preposterous".
"No one can take such an offer or terms seriously. The TTP is not a proper entity, certainly not one any government can negotiate with."
The ceasefire conditions, confirmed by spokesperson Ihsanullah Ihsan in a phone call to Reuters, said Pakistan should rewrite its laws and constitution according to Islamic law.
"We are ready to cease fire with Pakistan as long as they meet our demands, that an Islamic system should be put into place, they should fix their foreign policy and stop agreeing to American's demands," Ihsan said.
The TTP accused Pakistan's army of acting as "mercenaries" for America and pledged to continue attacks on two major political parties they say serve US interests.
"The big mistake (the government) made is that they fought America's war in Afghanistan and brought it into Pakistan," Ihsan said.
Nato troops are due to hand over control of most operations in Afghanistan to Afghan forces next year and officials have been eager to start peace talks with the Taliban there.
But the Taliban insurgency in both Pakistan and Afghanistan is fragmented and senior commanders often disagree with each other over strategy.
COMMENTS (46)
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Has TTP ever targeted any American and Indian interest.. ? They are asking Pakistani government to stop so called American war. They I suppose pledged taking revenge of execution of so called Kassab? Where is that revenge...As suggested by TTP, Why should we shift our energies to India? Its I think Indian turn. We shud wait for right time. Those who think, talibans can overpower Pak..Just a reminder, They are not harder target than swati mullah. They all went for his help but were forced to do Para jumping.
If it still not clear to all Pakistani about the intension of TTP then only god can save then from in comming chaos . Those who clearly refusing to accept the constitution of the state and demanding that it should be rewrite . They will not satisfy by suitable ammendments . Take action at the earliest or be ready to get perished .
Why are you still fighting, havent enough people died yet. How long are you going to keep fighting, make peace with the Taliban, work on your development needs, join the world in peace and brotherhood.Bring happiness and security to your people.There are other countries waiting to help you, take their assistance, be part of the global village. With peace you can accomplish everything.
I have a few reservations of my own with respect to the constitution and the way Pakistani government conducts its affairs...Shall I pick up weapons and start a terrorist outfit to make my case too?Imagine if everyone goes this way.Who would you support?
@kHaN: Talking of political parties, thee was a time when attaching "Muslim League" to the Patry's name was in vogue Now it is Thereek. Just in the last week two new parties have attached Thereek to its name, one formed by Hamid Gul and another by his son. We also had another Thereek by Dr. Khan.The mother of all Parties is of course Thereek-e-Insaf. May be TTP got the idea for its name from PTI.
No comment yet on the lines that "we must see who is really benefitting from this .................. the hidden hands, blah .. blah.... blah .."
I am so disappointed !!!!!!!!!
@muhammadkashifkhan: They will be educated in Fajju maderssa . Then they will understand that the same constitution has provision to deal with murderers . That is why they are demanding a bonefire of the present Pakistani constitution and nothing less .
Country crical curve.,........?.
Alas! Our mighty military still consider these thugs their strategic assets and have shown a soft corner towards them despite being attacked by TTP.
Drones have been only effective effective weapon to clean this mess of Dollar Jihadis and hooligans.
TTP should be given the chance of reintegrating into Pakistani politics and government. They have every right to resist against the current corrupt and puppet Pak government as TTP represent the mindset of 90% Pakistani people.
They just have to educate themselves and pakistan constitution is EVEN MORE ISLAMIC than what they want !
They can pass any law of sharia or anything with help of the article below
Article 227 (1): “All existing laws shall be brought in conformity with the injunctions of Islam” and “no law shall be enacted which is repugnant to such injunctions.”
@Yuri Kondratyuk: ": @mods, this is my first comment in 24 odd hours. How come “I am posting comments too quickly”?!"
Join the gang.
@Afaaq: "Would it not be easier just to nuke waziristan and get rid of the problem once and for all? Offcourse before announcing safe passage to all civilians."
So while Afghan civilians are availing the safe passage, the militants will just sit around waiting to be nuked is it? And where exactly should these civilians go? Pakistan is sending the existing Afghans i Pakistan back, it has certainly not shown any willingness to absorb more?
DO you even think about what you post before you post it?
@Jibran: Wah wah kiya baat hai . Islam should be reimplemented as per desire of present Pakistani constitution on those who deny it .
"The Taliban, in a letter sent to the Pakistan daily The News, also demanded that Pakistan stop its involvement in the war pitting Afghan insurgents against the Kabul government and refocus on a war of “revenge” against India."
So logical for an Indian and US funded agent which TTP supposedly is to ask that support to US should be stopped and attack on India should be restarted.
No negotiations with the killers. Even if they lay down weapons, they must be tried. In Islam, everyone is equal, and even a Mullah cannot be given a right to kill anyone, and then walk away scott free.
@Born Political: You can't be sure when snakes are actually asleep unless you get close enough to be bitten if they're not actually sleeping or wake them up yourself when you check and get bitten, too.
You don't talk with killers and Murderers. Wipe them out. They cannot last very long.
The land of my ancestors has become synonymous with terrorism. I prefer calling myself Indian Punjabi rather than west Punjabi. Rab dey khair to daro...hor mai ki aakha. Sat Sri akal
It is amply clear that both Talibans are two sides of the same coin. Afghan Taliban has demanded new constitution before talks which has been followed by Pak Taliban who too wants shariat laws imposed in Pakistan. Pak Taliban are becoming bolder every passing day knowing fully well that no action is going to be taken against it. Moreover, anybody including a minister who dares to defy them would be silenced and the state takes into its stride as if nothing has happened. The intelligence agencies are working overtime to ensure change of leadership from Mehsud to Rehman to make Pakistan safer. What future holds for Pakistan only God can tell.
whose mercaneries are you, Dajal or Shaitan.
@ Yuri
It happens all the time. Their system is broke.
Sounds fair to me... I wish Islam on these people :)
I fail to anything "preposterous" in these demands.
something seriously wrong with your comments posting system.... keep getting message of slow down, posting so fast? what's going on Tribune??
How about making a few demands of the TTP:
Allowing polio drive to continue To allow freedom of speech, and freedom of expression of ideas, and freedom to criticise To allow the education of girls Not to bomb innocent civilians Not to bomb schools, places of worship
Seriously, there is no place in our society for such murderous, hypocritical criminals. We are better off without them.
I support this. Islam is the only way to bring peace and stability in Pakistan. Infact Pakistan was built upon the Islamic ideology. and all secular and liberals can leave this country if they don't want islam.
Thanks but no thanks. Anyone who think TTP offer is valid must be living in fool's paradise. I try my best to observe my faith (islam) albeit I am not a perfect muslim and indeed far from one, I have soft corner for religious political parties and I am wholly against secularism and pakistani "liberalism". Yet even I know TTP are nothing but hooligans who have twisted and distorted Islam. I have strong disagreement with ANP, MQM and PPP never ever going to vote for them but if its them against TTP, I would stand with ANP, MQM or PPP then TTP. What TTP is doing is fasad fil ard and no negotiations with them unless they lay down the arms and answer for all the crimes they have comitted.
@Rana Usman: Its sad that you still do not understand anything about these guys...
These are perfectly reasonable conditions. Pakistan's constitution already says that no law to be enacted which goes against Islam. Why suddenly the word "Islamic system" scares everyone. Being a muslim, its part of my faith to obey Allah (SWT) and follow its system. Whats wrong with it?
Accepting even one of their demands will show others they can achieve political legitimacy with terrorism. This will be the end of everything democratic.
There is no difference between what TTP is demanding and the demands of the religious parties of Pakistan (JI, JuD, JUI etc.). This clearly shows that how the parties following extreme ideologies become breeding grounds of terrorism.
It is a nonsense. They dont have any idea of what changes they want. They just want to run a country like a madressah, which is not feasible nor acceptable. If they have any plans then they should make it a manifesto and sell it in voting market. Lets see what value they fetch in the eyes of voters
@Qaisrani:
FYKI, quality of life in Israel is much superior to what Pak has to offer. I can't understand why you refer to life in Israel as some sort of purgatory!!
They r hinting at negotiating, we should negotiate. Pakistani constitution is already Islamic, a few things here and there, rest is all good. The main demand is change in foreign policy and staying away from American war
will Pakixtan rewrite her constitution on gun point . Now it is clear that TTP will not bow down . Treat them in their language or be ready to be ruied by them . They will also not tecognize the result of next election held under the present constitution .
After all, their demands are fair and just. I support Islamic State and Islamic Constitution, but I don't support their version of Islam. If we negotiate with them, and even if we draw an Islamic constitution, they'll not accept it as they have their own distorted version of Islam.
also demanded that Pakistan stop its involvement in the war pitting Afghan insurgents against the Kabul government and refocus on a war of “revenge” against India.
And u say, TTP is RAW-MOSSAD-CIA funded :D.. myad boyz
Correct me if I am wrong, but, isn't referring to adoption of Islamic law as "preposterous" an automatic case of "blasphemy"?
P.S.: @mods, this is my first comment in 24 odd hours. How come "I am posting comments too quickly"?!
Whats 'preposterous' in these demands? I dont support Taliban at all, but if they have hinted a road towards ceasefire, we should dialogue with them to soften these terms. Sleeping snakes are harmless.
The babarians, we hate you. I will prefer to live in Israel than these barbarian ruled Pakistan. Drones, donot stop, please keep coming everyday.
Fair chance for Pakistan to stop terrorism. Pakistan must consider their demands and get on negotiation table. Once you are on negotiations, there comes out the possibilities of convince them.
The simple
Kuch Lo, Kuch Do Policy matters.
Hallelujah!
The TTP should leave Pakistan and move to Afghanistan and obey Mullah Omar. No need to negotiate with them. Pakistan should talk with Mullah Omar.
Would it not be easier just to nuke waziristan and get rid of the problem once and for all? Offcourse before announcing safe passage to all civilians.