Talks with Taliban: JI will only be guarantor for a ‘strong’ govt
PML-N will announce final stance once Nawaz Sharif returns to Pakistan.
JI can negotiate with Taliban only on behalf of a trustworthy government, says Liaquat Baloch. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD/TTP:
The Jamaat-e-Islami has not completely detached itself from negotiating with the Taliban as it said on Tuesday that it would be part of peace talks but only on behalf of a credible and trustworthy government.
On Sunday, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had signalled its willingness to enter peace negotiations with the government if three senior politicians – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharf, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam head Fazlur Rehman and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Syed Munawwar Hasan – would act as guarantors
JI’s Liaquat Baloch has now said, however, that his party would not be a guarantor for the Taliban on behalf of the President Zardari-led government. “We can find a solution to the problem through dialogue, which can only be administered through a strong and sovereign government,” Baloch said.
For its part, the PML-N has put the matter on hold till Nawaz returns. “We want to bring a peaceful end to this violence through dialogue,” said PML-N spokesperson Mushahidullah Khan. “But we still need to work out how and where the negotiations should be held.”
Security analysts
Security analysts are, on the other hand, not too hopeful about the negotiation.
Commenting on the conditions put forward by the TTP, Lt (retd) Talat Masood said that most of the demands were unacceptable. He felt that Taliban could use the situation to their advantage by regrouping and strengthening their position.
In fact, the Taliban seemed confident with the recent ‘successful’ attacks on security forces and civilians. “It seems that the Taliban want to take advantage of the current political situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan,” he said. “They want to use the Afghanistan negotiations and the upcoming elections in Pakistan to their advantage.”
He added that even if the government agreed to negotiate it had no guarantee since there are a number of militant groups who are not under a single chain of command.
All parties conference
The Awami National Party (ANP) has decided to hold an all parties conference to come up with a strategy to counter terrorism in order to welcome the Taliban’s move for peace talks with the government.
Federal Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said that the Taliban’s offer was positive as issues could only be solved through negotiations.The ANP has sent invitations to different parties, including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and PML-N. Bilour added, however, that the PML-N chief has declined the invitation to negotiate with the parties as part of an alliance with the government.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2013.
The Jamaat-e-Islami has not completely detached itself from negotiating with the Taliban as it said on Tuesday that it would be part of peace talks but only on behalf of a credible and trustworthy government.
On Sunday, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had signalled its willingness to enter peace negotiations with the government if three senior politicians – Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharf, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam head Fazlur Rehman and Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Syed Munawwar Hasan – would act as guarantors
JI’s Liaquat Baloch has now said, however, that his party would not be a guarantor for the Taliban on behalf of the President Zardari-led government. “We can find a solution to the problem through dialogue, which can only be administered through a strong and sovereign government,” Baloch said.
For its part, the PML-N has put the matter on hold till Nawaz returns. “We want to bring a peaceful end to this violence through dialogue,” said PML-N spokesperson Mushahidullah Khan. “But we still need to work out how and where the negotiations should be held.”
Security analysts
Security analysts are, on the other hand, not too hopeful about the negotiation.
Commenting on the conditions put forward by the TTP, Lt (retd) Talat Masood said that most of the demands were unacceptable. He felt that Taliban could use the situation to their advantage by regrouping and strengthening their position.
In fact, the Taliban seemed confident with the recent ‘successful’ attacks on security forces and civilians. “It seems that the Taliban want to take advantage of the current political situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan,” he said. “They want to use the Afghanistan negotiations and the upcoming elections in Pakistan to their advantage.”
He added that even if the government agreed to negotiate it had no guarantee since there are a number of militant groups who are not under a single chain of command.
All parties conference
The Awami National Party (ANP) has decided to hold an all parties conference to come up with a strategy to counter terrorism in order to welcome the Taliban’s move for peace talks with the government.
Federal Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmed Bilour said that the Taliban’s offer was positive as issues could only be solved through negotiations.The ANP has sent invitations to different parties, including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and PML-N. Bilour added, however, that the PML-N chief has declined the invitation to negotiate with the parties as part of an alliance with the government.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2013.