Govt should consider Taliban peace offer: Fazl

JUI-F chief says platform comprising tribal elders could be formed.

PESHAWAR:

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said the government should take advantage of the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP)’s ‘peace offers’ and hold dialogue with the banned group to avoid further bloodshed.

Talking to reporters on Monday after condoling over the demise of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader Qazi Hussain Ahmed, the JUI-F chief welcomed the peace talks.

“The government should not miss the opportunity and seriously consider Taliban’s offer for dialogue, despite bloodshed in recent years,” said Fazl.

He went on to add that if the government was unable to contact the outlawed group, a platform comprising tribal elders could be formed in order to make the move result-oriented.

“We need to come up with a political solution to the menace of terrorism and a tribal jirga is a good option for the purpose,” he said, while opposing the use of force to resolve the issue. The JUI-F leader was amazed at politicians who were indulging in the blame game while putting aside key national issues.

“It’s time that all parties be united … currently all the leaders were talking of corruption by forgetting about the escalating violence in the country,” he added.

When asked about the status of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), Fazl said talks to restore the alliance were in their final stages, adding that consultations were underway to include JI in the religious alliance.

Speaking about Minhajul Quran International chief Tahirul Qadri’s planned long march, the JUI-F chief said he did not take Qadri seriously, adding that all political parties were steadfast in their resolve to thwart any effort aimed at derailing democracy.

Furthermore, Fazl said the government needed to utilise all its resources to rid itself of “slavery of the US”. “Scientists explored a huge quantity of mineral resources in Reko Diq in 1978 but they are yet to be brought into use,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 8^th, 2013.