PTI spokeswoman Dr Shireen Mazari said TTP’s decision would ‘fulfill America’s designs’. PHOTO: SANA/FILE
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s decision to withdraw its offer for peace talks with the incoming government will not alter PML-N and PTI’s position, the two leading parties that have advocated peace negotiations with the militants.
This is the view of Raja Zafarul Haq, chairman of PML-N. Haq said, “Ups and downs are part of such an exercise. We will continue our efforts for a politically negotiated settlement to the conflict.” He admitted though that talks were only possible if both sides were willing.
However, PTI spokeswoman Dr Shireen Mazari said TTP’s decision would ‘fulfill America’s designs’.
“The Americans are opposed to such talks as they have sabotaged it,” she said. The timing of the latest drone attack by the US which killed Waliur Rehman – one of the top leaders of TTP – is significant, she noted, adding that “the attack by the US comes at a time when the transition of power is about to be completed in Pakistan.”
But the PML-N chairman insisted talks with TTP could be initiated only when all local and international stakeholders were on the same page.
“It is not a one-to-one issue. There are several international players involved in the whole affair,” Haq explained.
“However we will continue our efforts for the solution of the conflict. But two-way efforts are required for the peace negotiations.”
Mazari said PTI was not disappointed with the militant group’s decision and was optimistic her party will extend its full cooperation to PML-N to achieve peace in the region.
“Give us some time,” was her reply when asked as to when her party will ask the federal government to initiate talks with the Taliban. She did not regard TTP’s withdrawal as a setback to peace.
Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer, Syed Munawar Hasan, has also held the US responsible for Taliban’s decision to withdraw its offer.
“Recent drone attacks by Washington on the TTP sabotaged the prospect of Pakistan-TTP peace dialogue,” he said. Hasan was still optimistic of the dialogue, urging PML-N leaders to approach the Taliban to initiate talks.
“Mian Nawaz Sharif should go to Fata (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) to open talks with TTP leaders. It is high time for Pakistan to contact the Taliban. That is the need of the hour.”
Fazlur Rehman says situation is ‘complex’
JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman termed TTP’s withdrawal of peace talks ‘complex’, saying that “Waliur Rehman’s death was a sad development which derailed the entire process of peace talks with the Taliban that the upcoming government was planning,”
Speaking to journalists after a meeting of the party’s parliamentary committee on Friday, Rehman said the group’s second-in-command was in favour of talks with the government.
“TTP is the biggest militant group and any success in talks with it can neutralise a number of smaller groups operating in the tribal areas of Pakistan. All militant groups active in the area would have come to TTP in case of talks between them and the government,” Rehman added.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 1st, 2013.
COMMENTS (21)
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@jamshed kharian-pak : . Jamshed Ji, . I heartily support your views but would like to have you come down to Earth. . It is a gross fallacy of humungous proportions to repeat the hackneyed statement "Pakistan was created for the Indian Muslims". Nothing could be further from the Truth!. . The unassailed and unambiguous fact is the PAKISTAN WAS CREATED FOR THE LEADERSHIP IF THE INDIAN MUSLIM LEAGUE!! . There Endth the Lesson. . I hope and pray that your opening sentence Sooner or later english elit of pakistan has to share cake with the locals! comes true. Then, and only then, will true Peace reign in the Indian Sub-Continent. . Will my Hope come true or Will I Live in Hope and Die in Dispair? . Only time will Tell!!! . Cheers
@Enlightened: Beg to differ. Maulana agrees with TTP . Does not fear them . Same is true of JI leadership whose views about rape cases are arcane.
@Saad: "@gp65: Just like 5 failed military operations and hundreds of drone stikes have done anything to curtail it."
Is that true tat all the military operations failed? Did the military operation in Swat not restore the Mingora Chowk its civilian status from the time that it was called khooni chowk? Did the SQA operation not drive TTP out of Souht Waziristan? The issue wad the lack of success o these operations but the lack of follow up that gave TTP time to regroup and strengthen.
@Logic europe: Agree with your views. PTI, PMLN and Maulana fear TTP so much that all are dancing to its tune and begging for talks knowing fully well of its outcome. However, let the negotiations be done for the satisfaction of all who still feel that TTP would leave violence and start playing cricket under the able guidance of Imran Khan.
@Muhammad Akbar: When the offer of talks was initiated, did TTP stop attacking PAkistani civilian and military targets. Yet this is what was expected on the PAkistani side with the elimination of Wali Ur Rehman being considered as breach of trust. I can understand that TTP would like to position it that way but the fact that top Pakistani leaders and media also positions it similarly is amazing.
@Dr.Mazari.....You all are trying earnestly to come out of this hopeless situation......Keep it up,May God be with you,all of us!!!
@gp65: Just like 5 failed military operations and hundreds of drone stikes have done anything to curtail it.
Classic anti American blather which implies that drone attacks were designed to sabotage Pakistan - like most anti American blather it ignores inconvenient evidence. America policy on drones was crystal clear before the election - crystal clear after the election - and has nothing to do with Pakistani politics. . The drone killed a bad guy responsible for organizing attacks on American's inside Afghanistan - that makes him a legitimate target. The bad guy was also responsible for killing thousands of Pakistani's - beheading your soldiers - blowing up Mosques/Schools - all things which should make Pakistan celibate his demise.
How dare Fazl make such a statement regarding Waliur Rehman's death. The man has been behind the murder of thousands of Pakistanis. The only side that appears to be taking the TTP threat seriously is the US. And what does that say about us Pakistanis.
@gp65: believe me if you followed those treaties you would smell an elephant instead of a rat. There were bad intentions from the government too (not taking Taliban side). and many many times america has disrupted peace efforts and killed many leaders when serious efforts for peace talks were underway. and now they have once again showed their true face. America dont want a border fence/wall at pak afghan border then what do they want???
anyone who wants to talk to these barbarians is a barbarian themselves. These barbarians need to be wiped out so that the rest of the world lives in peace.
@gp65 Ji: . Robert "The" Bruce - Where Are You? . Cheers
One of the funniest statements I have read: “the attack by the US comes at a time when the transition of power is about to be completed in Pakistan.” I would like to ask this genius women, what does she expect that US should have let escaped the Number-Two of Taliban just because Pakistan was having a democratic transaction? You must be kidding right? Naive leaders are what we got from this election.
The killing of a top TTP commander is probably the best thing to happen before talks could take place. GOP should thank US and request for more drone attacks to kill other top leaders. TTP who was earlier dictating terms in a position of strength but after this killing has put them on the defensive. This is also the appropriate time for military to hit them hard and make them weaker otherwise no meaningful dialogue is possible and they would be breaking all future treaties as done in the past.
The cowards can not stand up to terorists Nawaz has proved in the past that he would rather leave the country than take risk with his comforts and life. Taliban have tasted their first political victory,Nawaz and Imran on their side in governments Dont expect any mercy from them -
Prepare to sign away our way of life, and our lives, to the TTP
@Ricky I Wonder what you think is the role of opposition, is its role is only to oppose only whatever the matter may be? PTI is sticking to its stance of peace talks with talibans. Now that it is not in Federal govt so it should and is supporting PML-N for holding peace talks with taliban. US has not been able to make peace with the use of force, not even in afghanistan where they are physically present. It has worked only to make the situation more worse by sabotaging the peace process. So come out of this innocence my dear!
While PTI was up in arms against PPP and PML-N and wanted to beat the tiger with the bat, politics make strange bedfellows. All of a sudden the two prodigies of TTP are hand and glove. TTP did not endorse and support these two parties for nothing. They want to get full mileage out of the deal to hijack elections for their two prodigies. While PTI was against all three ruling parties including PML-N before elections and never was going to cooperate with them, what has changed now except their masters now are the same. While PML-N was maligned for being friendly opposition now number three party is playing in the lap of NS. It is not surprising that JI, JUI, PTI and PML-N all rightwing parties are trying to please TTP. No mention of the blood dripping from the hands of TTP.
Clearly 9 failed treaties have not really taught the lesson. Life is a patient teacher. A lesson will be repeated until it is learnt.