A file photo of Taliban fighters. PHOTO: AFP
Nearly 24 political and religious parties on Thursday recommended that talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) should be the ‘first priority’ in any strategy to restore peace in the country.
"The ANP's conference communique was nothing but old sentences and stories," said TTP spokesperson, Ehsanullah Ehsan, while reading a statement, issued by the group's political council, via phone.
He also said the Jamaat-e-Islami's boycott will remain a question mark on the credibility of the conference, adding that the TTP political council met at an undisclosed location following the ANP's moot to discuss its recommendations.
"We still await a serious and result-oriented response from the security forces and the government to our dialogue offer," Ehsanullah said, claiming that the offer was made for "Islam and in the country's interests."
"It is not the sign of our weakness," he quickly added from a written statement, he read out in Urdu.
The TTP spokesperson lashed out at the ANP for holding the APC on Valentine's Day, which he said 'reflected the imperialistic approach of the ANP leaders.
Angry at the Pakistani media, Ehsanullah Ehsan, said that 'certain American-brand journalists' are discrediting the Taliban's peace dialogue offer, who say that Taliban are not serious in talks.
"We want that those writers and journalists should be held accountable," he said.
In response to a question, Ehsan confirmed to The Express Tribune that Taliban have decided names for its negotiation team, refusing to divulge their names unless the government comes up with a formal response.
To another question he denied any differences in the ranks of the Taliban over the talks issue and said that all Taliban are united in the talks offer. He also dispelled the impression that Taliban have offered talks only to gain recognition for the outfit.
"The whole word recognises us," he went on to say.
The TTP spokesman had offered conditional talks in a video interview on February 4.
Interior Minister, Rehman Malik, has asked the Taliban to declare a ceasefire before the talks, however, Taliban have rejected the demand. The Taliban spokesman says that ceasefire will be discussed when the negotiations have started.
COMMENTS (28)
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army failed to contain them, infact our forces are under attack these days and government a.k.a Rehman malik is demanding a seize fire from them first without capitalizing the talk offer. whose the daddy now?
@Saima: 'We have suffered alot in this so called War on terror.' That is because of the double play by the establishment and nothing more.
I wonder if any of these political parties would want to negotiate with the TTP had thier sons been murdered, daughters prevented from going to school and family kidnapped by these terrorists.....the political parties that support the TTP are cowards who are making their bed with the devil
For the first time in Pakistan’s history, the establishment has decided to ‘ask’ the politicians for a ‘consensus’. This should be entered into the GWR books. Decipher it and it means is that we cannot kill our own child, who they have nourished since birth. Ask any sensible parent if they can kill their wayward child and the response will be a big NO.
well you need answer from security forces and Govt:
" run for lives, here we come again"
In the coming elections, the TTP should put up candidates (or have the government nominate the TTP spokesman as a name/party on the ballot)! Then we can all see what percentage of the Pakistani public wants to support the TTP and their view of what the country should look like!
No peace deal with these animals. Shame on our government and army who can't take these pests out.
Kill these pests!!
@Diggvijay Singh:
ROFL. Totally cracked me up! If this is the brain size of TTP then there's no need to negotiate with them since they're not capable of handling these. I think this is high time our govt takes strict measures to eradicate these idiots.
Nothing do with America Mr Taliban I as a Pakistani would not like to speak to you as you and your followers are traitors and killers of our nation and Armed forces. You have never in your life paid a single paisa of tax or contributed in any way in the construction of this country of mine. You follow a strange practice which involves young people to blow themselves up for you to achieve your illegitimate objectives. You are no one else other than a murderer, weapon and people smuggler. May God reward you with your deeds and God willing its not Janat.
We consider that we are on right path then why can't we still find a single suicde attacker from our side to kill taliban? The dialogue with Taliban should be taken serious as it would be in the interest of country and people of the this country. We have suffered alot in this so called War on terror.
Wrong absolutely wrong,the parties participated in the conference really want to resolve issue with Taliban.
there was no room for doubt,the parties as above stated has been increasing burden on the government for peace process and for agreement with incumbent rulers,vide their press statments and the speeches in public.
Due to their pressure government compelled to release taliban prisoners from Pakistani jails,please take their actions as a sincer efforts toward peace in the region.
Taliban should also extend their hand as cooperative,keeping in mind that war is not a solution of any problem.
In fact, we are playing with the lives of our own people and property.our common enemies are smiling on our mistakes
We are due to conflict we are getting weakness in our own ranks same country same religion,be given up all disputes and assebled on one point,that better than blood shede and useless carnage.
We should not negotiate with these killers (and even if we should, that must be on OUR own terms only) and develop consensus immediately to send forces into Waziristan area and other tribal agencies. On the Eastern border side, India should be made aware of the fact that if it tries any misadventure, the response will be most overwhelming.
How can they be this bold without support from both internal institutions and Saudi Arabia????
i really am surpirice over the performance of our militery intelagence. being atomic power, we are unable to handle small group of these mercenaries, it mean these groups still enjoy the uspport of our militry. big question for all of us... why we cannot handle them?
TTP are providing all the reasons for us to wake up and take care of ourselves for our lives and our future generations. Yet our indecisive, inept, lazy and corrupt institutions. TTP needs to be taken care of FIRMLY and SWIFTLY. All the money and power that our so called leaders of our institutions have will mean nothing if there is no country....let me correct myself ... if there is no life. What are you waiting for GO and GET THEM.
No negotiations. Eliminate them. That is the only solution.
We should not have any sort of negotiations with the killers. No soft stance should be taken by us.
What a picture, what are they holding...flowers and you want to negotiate with them
Secualrs of Pakistan have been rendered irrelevant by Taliban... Boo, very humiliating
This is quite hilarious. I can see his objection to Valentine's Day being a Westernized mode of love celebration. There are many Heer Ranjha stories in our region which can become our own celebration. But to acccuse ANP of choosing Valentine's Day is ridiculous. Did he think they were making a love offer to Taliban group that they chose Valentine's day? It just happened to be on 14th Feb. Pakistan will have a hard time negotiating with these stupid intransigent people who malign the name of Islam and humanity. They don't see the good gesture they are receiving from Pakistan's government and security forces.
You will be caught by surprise and you will beg mercy on your lives and you will be given amenesity provided you build all the schools with your hands that you destroyed and accept Jinnahs Pakistan.
Looking at the his smile, I don't understand how can people smile after killing many innocent people and children?
Ehsanullah Ehsan should really stop taking the name of Islam for his political goals. No religion teaches people to perpetrate bombings in market places.
hahah great SIXER by TTP !!