Conditional talks: TTP truce offer finds no takers in military
Security officials say banned group is trying to fend off possible military operation in tribal regions.
Last week Mehsud said in a video message that his group was willing to negotiate with the Pakistani government. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The security establishment has ruled out a ceasefire with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), describing the recent peace overture from the militants as a ploy to avoid a possible military offensive in the tribal areas, The Express Tribune has learnt.
Last week, TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud said in a video message that his group was willing to negotiate with the Pakistani government. However, he attached certain preconditions to the peace talks, including an end to Pakistan’s alliance with the United States and rewriting of the country’s constitution “according to Islamic Shariah”.
Reacting to the offer, a senior military official said TTP’s move appeared to be aimed at gaining the “higher moral ground” at a time when a consensus was emerging in the country against their violent campaign.
“We should not be swayed by their offer,” cautioned the official, adding that the group probably made the offer to preempt a fresh military operation against Taliban insurgents in the tribal areas.
The official, requesting anonymity, told The Express Tribune that the TTP had suffered “setbacks” in recent months as a result of “successful” military operations against their hideouts.
“Also, they [the TTP] were on the back foot after attacks on Malala [Yousafzai], polio vaccinators and [senior minister] Bashir Bilour,” the official added.
Another security official, who was once in charge of military operations in South Waziristan Agency, said that scores of TTP militants had fled the tribal regions to seek shelter in settled areas to avoid a possible offensive.
In this scenario, the TTP offer appears to be a “political move” to divide public opinion in the country in terms of the government’s possible response to militants’ outrageous attacks, the official said, adding that even though the final decision to respond to TTP’s offer would be taken by the government, the military had no plans to halt operations against the group.
“As of now, there is no change in our policy. Military operations will continue against the TTP,” said the official.
Furthermore, top military commanders, including army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, will assess TTP’s offer when they meet early next month, The Express Tribune learnt.
Analysts wary of TTP offer “The TTP through its offer wants the same recognition in Pakistan as the Afghan Taliban have in their country,” said security analyst Fida Khan.
But Pakistan is not Afghanistan, where the Taliban and other insurgent groups are fighting foreign forces, Khan added. “So, we have to tread a very careful path.”
The Pakistan Peoples Party-led government has already rejected the conditional offer by the TTP, insisting that dialogue could only be held under the ambit of the country’s constitution.
The Awami National Party has, meanwhile, started contacting different political leaders in an effort to evolve a consensus for decisive actions against “terrorist sanctuaries”.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2012.
The security establishment has ruled out a ceasefire with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), describing the recent peace overture from the militants as a ploy to avoid a possible military offensive in the tribal areas, The Express Tribune has learnt.
Last week, TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud said in a video message that his group was willing to negotiate with the Pakistani government. However, he attached certain preconditions to the peace talks, including an end to Pakistan’s alliance with the United States and rewriting of the country’s constitution “according to Islamic Shariah”.
Reacting to the offer, a senior military official said TTP’s move appeared to be aimed at gaining the “higher moral ground” at a time when a consensus was emerging in the country against their violent campaign.
“We should not be swayed by their offer,” cautioned the official, adding that the group probably made the offer to preempt a fresh military operation against Taliban insurgents in the tribal areas.
The official, requesting anonymity, told The Express Tribune that the TTP had suffered “setbacks” in recent months as a result of “successful” military operations against their hideouts.
“Also, they [the TTP] were on the back foot after attacks on Malala [Yousafzai], polio vaccinators and [senior minister] Bashir Bilour,” the official added.
Another security official, who was once in charge of military operations in South Waziristan Agency, said that scores of TTP militants had fled the tribal regions to seek shelter in settled areas to avoid a possible offensive.
In this scenario, the TTP offer appears to be a “political move” to divide public opinion in the country in terms of the government’s possible response to militants’ outrageous attacks, the official said, adding that even though the final decision to respond to TTP’s offer would be taken by the government, the military had no plans to halt operations against the group.
“As of now, there is no change in our policy. Military operations will continue against the TTP,” said the official.
Furthermore, top military commanders, including army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, will assess TTP’s offer when they meet early next month, The Express Tribune learnt.
Analysts wary of TTP offer “The TTP through its offer wants the same recognition in Pakistan as the Afghan Taliban have in their country,” said security analyst Fida Khan.
But Pakistan is not Afghanistan, where the Taliban and other insurgent groups are fighting foreign forces, Khan added. “So, we have to tread a very careful path.”
The Pakistan Peoples Party-led government has already rejected the conditional offer by the TTP, insisting that dialogue could only be held under the ambit of the country’s constitution.
The Awami National Party has, meanwhile, started contacting different political leaders in an effort to evolve a consensus for decisive actions against “terrorist sanctuaries”.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 31st, 2012.