Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan (L) and with new TTP member Adnan Rasheed address a press conference in Shabtoi, a village in South Waziristan, on February 2, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
The preconditions set by the Taliban for peace talks betray what their real agenda is. Ehsan demanded the release of three captured TTP leaders: Muslim Khan, Haji Umar and Maulana Mehmood. Muslim Khan was the spokesperson for the TTP in Swat who had called for the families, in particular children, of soldiers to be targeted and killed. Quite how releasing him will serve the cause of peace is unclear. Certainly, his over three years of incarceration are unlikely to have made him any less radical and violent. Haji Umar, also a spokesperson for the TTP, was the man who confirmed that Baitullah Mehsud had been killed in a drone strike and his arrest was of great value in gaining intelligence about the leaders and actions of the TTP. Maulana Mehmood, meanwhile, was a member of the Taliban’s political wing and as such one of the more brutally violent men even within the militant outfit. Releasing these three men would not only be a moral outrage, it would also encourage the TTP in its belief that greater violence is always the answer.
It is also curious that the Taliban have named PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif, JUI-F leader Fazlur Rehman and JI leader Munawar Hasan to act as guarantors that the military will not violate the terms of any negotiation. Conveniently enough, the government and the military are not given the opportunity to appoint any guarantors of their own who can hold the TTP to the same standard. That this suggestion has been made just as election campaigns are about to commence is unlikely to be a coincidence. The three parties are among the most right wing in the country and have favoured negotiations with the Taliban. Now that they have been asked to act as guarantors, another suggestion which the government should shoot down without hesitation, it is likely they will go on the campaign trail and denounce the government for not considering this idea. This will sow further political dissension at a time when unity is essential. Division, it seems, is part of the TTP’s agenda.
Some unlikely support for peace talks is emerging from within the ANP, where K-P Information Minister Iftikhar Hussain said that lasting peace can be secured through talks with the TTP. Hussain has been a stalwart in the fight against militancy, having survived an assassination attempt and lost his son to the Taliban. The ANP, more than any other political party, has been in the frontline of the fight against the Taliban so it is perhaps understandable that it is weary and looking for a way to end this war. Peace talks, however, will only end up prolonging the fight as the Taliban regroup for another day.
There should only be one condition for peace talks to be held and that is the complete cessation of violence. Nearly every day, the TTP attacks the military at check posts and there are frequent bomb blasts and suicide attacks in major cities. So long as these continue unabated, it will be impossible to trust the Taliban when they call for peace talks. We also have to ask ourselves what our ultimate goal is. Do we want to maintain the status quo, where the TTP rules large swathes of territory or disarm them forever? Peace talks will only ensure the former.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 5th, 2013.
COMMENTS (25)
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@Mir Ali: {The only way to peace is talks. The British followed by the Russians and Americans have learned this lesson the hard way}
This applies to Afghan Taliban and not to TTP. Nobody is occupying our country. We have our own Army, parliament etc. Its the TTP who are gunning for taking control of our country in spite of being in a microscopic minority. For GOD's sake don't take leave of common sense just because you are sympathetic or apologetic regarding senseless religious terrorism.
The supposedly main plank of TTP crusade and agenda for talks is complete enforcement of Sharia. Let’s take them at face value. Now if the GOVT. has any common sense, it should immediately ask TTP to forward the names of religious scholars among their ranks who must have graduated from any Maddrasa (any sect), are well known to general public, well versed in religious theology and written religious books or Fatwas which are a source of reference for at least their own sect. Let them put up someone like Qazi Hussain / Mufti Naeemi / Fazlul Rehman etc from their side. Mind you I am not talking about religious scholars who are sympathetic or apologetic. They must belong to the core of Taliban. Surely they cannot proceed to kill left / right and centre in the name of ISLAM without any religious GODFATHER among their ranks. I am sure the TTP will be left speechless. Surely we cannot discuss religious issues and demands having far reaching implications for public in general and women / minorities in particular with the likes of a Lift operator / Bus driver or a one eyed foot soldier. All we need is to puncture the balloon of religious pretension with which it is so simple to blackmail even the educated among us.
Editor ET: Please publish my comment. Its an entirely different angle.
it is a biased piece people sitting in karachi cannot analyze what the actual situation is .how the people of this tribal belt are suffering.continuing fight with ttp will cost us more dollars and we are on the verge to be declared as Bankruptcy state.For God sake do mercy on this nation
@lol: DUDE just too good hahahhahaha
The idea of negotiating these barbarians is hilarious, I wonder why they didn't drone this press conference, it would be a relief
Before this offer is taken, 1. The TTP ahould be asked to stop violence immediately and give proof of their good conduct. Their activities should be watched for at least a month. 2. They should be asked to nominate their representatives for talks. 3. The venue for talks should be announced. 5. They should declare their loyalty to the Pakistani state. 4. They should be asked to openly declare the real objectives of their 'movement' 6. Any other conditions to make them come out of hiding into the open political arena. 7. No prisoners should eb released by the government. As regards their demand for 'guarantees' by the three men of their choice they have named, it is now clear whom they regard as their apologists. This may or may not be correct, but you are right that their demand is calculated to sow dissentions among the political parties and disturb the electoral process. It is interesting that their spokesman has stated in so many words in TV talk shows that if the 'talks' fail, they would continue with their 'activities.' Hence the government should also make clear that if the talks fail, it would have no option but to order the law enforcement forces to use all its might against them and their fellow travellers.
No
@lol: you have left me laughing like a nut head. brilliant comment.
The supposedly main plank of TTP crusade and agenda for talks is complete enforcement of Sharia. Let’s take them at face value. Now if the GOVT. has any common sense, it should immediately ask TTP to forward the names of religious scholars among their ranks who must have graduated from any Maddrasa (any sect), are well known to general public, well versed in religious theology and written religious books or Fatwas which are a source of reference for at least their own sect. Let them put up someone like Qazi Hussain / Mufti Naeemi / Fazlul Rehman etc from their side. Mind you I am not talking about religious scholars who are sympathetic or apologetic. They must belong to the core of Taliban. Surely they cannot proceed to kill left / right and centre in the name of ISLAM without any religious GODFATHER among their ranks. I am sure the TTP will be left speechless. Surely we cannot discuss religious issues and demands having far reaching implications for public in general and women / minorities in particular with a Lift operator / Van driver or a one eyed foot soldier.
All we need is to puncture the balloon of religious pretension with which it is so simple to blackmail even the educated among us.
Taking to an enemy(Taliban) who does not follow human rights.
Peace talks with Taliban are absolutely and extremely in favor of Pakistan and Pakistani nation.So by forgetting and leaving US' interests and interferences Pakistani leadership must has to start peace talks,sign and implement peace accords seriously with Taliban without wasting any more time so that Pakistan and Pakistani nation could live peacefully without any terrorism and terror attacks......
Look at that picture. The two have two guys on the behind in masks with guns. It is such folks that a elected govt. supposed to speak to? An govt. should have monopoly on coercive powers in a state (which is what sovereignty really is).
The fact that such forces operate in impunity and even challenge the govt. shows, govt. has ceded sovereignty to them.
A rag-tag of 3,000-4,000 men is holding a Nuclear country to ransom. What a laugh.
Good intelligence especially human intelligence and targetted attacks against its leaders are the key to succes against the militants. Talks should be done from a position of strength
Those who kill innocent people should be brought to courts and not on negotiation table. Talking to them gives them legitimacy and more popularity. Army must admit it was wrong to create such monsters
Hey you created them, you armed them, you have to take them out..
They will not be wiped out, they will keep coming at you, relentlessly, with a single purpose.. To take them out, you will probably have to lay down a lot of men. But, thats the only way.
Pakistan wanted them to liberate Kashmir, they are not bent upon liberating Pakistan!
How can you call it peace talks when the other group is winning and gives you an opportunity to surrender?
why talk to the barbarians that have killed over 40'000 pakistanis in the last 10 years? the SSG and airforce should be fully utilized to smash them to pieces
This must be realized that negotiations and dialogue are the only solution.Govt should announce following conditions for peace talks in response of TTP offer: 1. cessation of voilence. 2.De-ammunitioning of all area of FATA. 3.All factions/groups of talibans should be invited to participate in mainstream politics. 4.All cases against TTP members should be eliminated for the sake of peace. 5. TTP leadership should be invited in peshawar to lay down their arms officialy. These measures are not piece of cake rather it is more harsher for those families who have lost their loved ones in this bloodiest episode of pakistan history. Effective diplomacy and conflict resolution approach is need of the hour.For long term peace in the region, these steps are too vital to consider.
They are doing press conference inside a nuclear state and government is announcing head money for them.Definetly elites still think majority of volk is jahil and can be easily fooled.
Picture shows they are nothing less than pirates.(pirates of deen).How important is face reading. Only if Pakistanis could read the faces!
@Salman:
And talking to them will make them stop violence and will forever ensure peace. If India attack Pakistan tommorrow, and offers to talk or else, you will say lets talk to them to ensure peace. I think that is BS.
Negotiation with TTP gives legitimacy for them to enter main stream politics through back door. PAK political parties collectively have to decide the wisdom of negotiations with them and associating with them. TTP is very clear what they want in terms of their ideology of governance in the areas they control.
The questions are: what is their next approach after they get SWAT rule and why the rest of the people in PAK should agree for TTP ideology in SWAT but do not want the same to be implemented in Punjab, Sind or elsewhere?
Negotiation with TTP is a proverbial slippery slope. What is good for Punjab and Sind is also good for SWAT. Agreeing to TTP now also means, that one day Punjab and Sind will also yield to TTP.
A total biased and irrational approach. Rejecting Taliban's offer will usher Pakistan towards bloodshed and violence in upcoming elections. let's sit down and give peace a chance to prevail as John F. Kennedy said "Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable".
I agree this offer should be dismissed and ET staff along with other internet warriors should be sent to fight TTP.
If not talks what is the alternative? The status quo?
The only way to peace is talks. The British followed by the Russians and Americans have learned this lesson the hard way.
Those who have nothing to lose cannot be defeated militarily.