Shahidullah Shahid, main spokesperson for the TTP told AFP that no contacts had been made between the group and any government official. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Media reports on Saturday ran headlines reporting the start of peace talks with the Taliban while some said there had been initial contacts with the militants
Shahidullah Shahid, main spokesperson for the TTP told AFP that no contacts had been made between the group and any government official.
"I categorically deny the holding of peace talks on any level between the Taliban and Pakistani government," Shahid told AFP from an undisclosed location.
"No contacts have even been made between us, nor have we received any offer to initiate peace talks" Shahid added.
BBC Urdu, quoting an unnamed senior government official and a Taliban commander, also reported the beginning of peace talks.
"It is complete propaganda, the government must make it public if it has any proof of any such talks," Shahid said.
The reports of peace talks emerged almost two weeks after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made an offer to the extremists in his first televised address to the nation since taking office after winning elections in May.
Previous peace deals have rapidly unravelled, and were criticised by the United States and at home for allowing militants space to regroup before launching new waves of attacks.
The Taliban last Saturday removed a key commander for welcoming Sharif's call for dialogue.
Ismatullah Muaweea, the head of the TTP in Punjab province, had said the prime minister had shown maturity.
COMMENTS (9)
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TTP is negotiating from the position of strength and would not be taken for a ride by the govt. They want to implement their brand of Sharia and would not stop at anything less. While Afghan Taliban are fighting for "freedom" TTP is fighting against Pakistan and its people. There is no other reason for TTP to be active in Pakistan and wage a war on us.
Long time back I read one Bengali poem wherein a boat sailed all night but it was found at the same dock in the morning--sailor forgot to un-tie the rope
Taliban are habitual liars & so are the people negotiating with them. The Taliban are shrewd liars whereas the others are lousy liars
The choices we have. Ameen
WHAAt??!?!? Then who in the world has the maulana been talking to all this time....oh these silly phone company people....connected the wrong number again!!
Shame to you TTP man in the photo you are paid to kill and you no genuine case to take arm
For TTP's info,they aren't the only Taliban.Punjabi Taliban,Moulvi Nazeer and other groups can hold talks and are willing to talk with government.
Dividing Taliban in separate compartments of good and bad is a useless argument.Both categories are the enemy of humanity.
To read between the lines: "the talks failed". What else do you expect when you are dealing with twisted minds!
The only good Taliban is a dead Taliban.