For peace in K-P: Khattak seeks Samiul Haq’s help

JUI-S assures PTI’s chief minister-elect of support in bringing stability.

NOWSHERA:

The road to peace in K-P, it seems, runs through Akora Khattak’s Darul Uloom Haqqania. On Monday, that’s where Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s nominated chief minister for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Pervaiz Khattak, met Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-S chief Maulana Samiul Haq to discuss planned peace talks with the Taliban. 

A 35-member Jirga, comprising senior PTI and JUI-S leaders, held talks for over two and a half hours on Monday on the issue of negotiations with the Taliban. Acknowledging Darul Uloom Haqqania and Samiul Haq’s role regarding the proposed peace efforts; Khattak reiterated his party’s stance on the war on terror and drone attacks in the tribal areas.

“The new K-P Assembly will pass its first resolution against drone attacks in the tribal belt and for distancing the country from its alliance with the US in the war on terror,” Khattak said.

Samiul Haq assured the chief minister-elect of his complete support for efforts to establish peace and stability in the region by launching talks with the Taliban.



“Peace cannot be established or terrorism eradicated by using guns and bullets,” the JUI-S chief said. “The jirga has great value in Pashtun tradition, and all security-related issues could be solved through it.

He also advised the incoming provincial government to focus on the root causes of terrorism and to devise national policies in the best interest of the country. “It is our religious responsibility to assist the government in its efforts towards establishing peace in the country.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 21^st, 2013.