Says that the video message of TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan was, in fact, a continuation of the peace process. PHOTO: INP
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has welcomed the latest Taliban overture for conditional talks with the authorities, calling it a “good omen”. Mian Iftikhar Hussain, the provincial information minister, said on Sunday that the video message of TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan was, in fact, a continuation of the peace process.
The ruling Awami National Party (ANP) has been making efforts to eliminate militancy through dialogue, he said in a statement. “The ANP is in talks with other political parties for the success of the peace dialogue,” he added.
About the assurance sought by the TTP for dialogue, the minister said the matter would be discussed at an all-party conference to be convened by the ANP on how to tackle the menace of militancy.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 4th, 2013.
COMMENTS (7)
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Pakistan political leaders must stop playing games with their people. Appease is the only choice, the Talibans do not know the art of negotiation; a dialogue, yes!
Rex Minor
Does anyone want peace? It appears that not many do. Peoples' deeds testify this. The way to achieving peace is to submit one's will to the commands of Lord Almighty (swt). How many people are seen to be doing so? From what goes on in the world more so among those who claim to be Muslims, the evidence is that not many are submitting their will to the Lord's command. Let me ask everyone who claims to be Muslim. Did you hear of Lord's command in the words "Wahtusaymoo ....... walah taferruqoo"? How many of those 1.4 billion who claim to be Muslims are obeying the Lord and responding to the above very vital and crucial command having the potential of achieving very far reaching consequences for those who will ever bother to put it into practice? So where would people go to practise this command? In the locality where they live initially and then through elected "mundoobs" nationally. We all can see very overtly that the humankind is disobeying Lord at its peril. All the trouble people have brought upon themselves is because of their defiance to shoulder the responsibilities Lord Almighty has put on them. They recite the Kalimah of allegience, yet obey not the Lord. Disunity among them is the testimony. Disunity comes among the Ummah by ignoring the words of Lord's for the sake of the words of their Malah (Qol ul Malah).
Haha what a U-turn. All those in ANP who used to call IK "Taliban Khan" for starting peace dialogue must be feeling utterly embarrassed because now their own party leader has become the "Asfandyar Taliban Khan". Finally good sense has prevailed and it is better late than never (Just before election! The party is dead anyway)
There is nothing to talk about until they don't give up their guns and bombs. After that they can participate in the election just find out how popular they are with the citizens.
ANP, PML-N, PTI, JUI and JI are all afraid of Taliban. They have surrendered to them which is such a disrespect to the innocent victims of Taliban attacks. And thinking that dialogue is a good omen is like living in fantasy.
You do realize that the fact they just recently attacked that check post, killing quite a few people and the timing of the talks means they see themselves as participating in talks from a position of power, right? Look at the common demands. They're nothing less than their intended goal. That's called giving you the opportunity to surrender.
In your dreams Mr. Hussain. Taliban only offer for dialogue when they are getting weaker in order for them to buy some time and come back stronger.