Fazlur Rehman opposes Taliban office in Pakistan as Imran sticks to his stance
JUI-F chief says allowing TTP to open their offices won't help in furthering peace talks.
JUI-F chief Fazlur Rehman. PHOTO: INP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman said on Thursday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan's earlier comments asking Taliban to open their offices in the country were "childish".
Addressing media at UNDP's Three Day International Conference on "Participatory Federation and Decentralisation", Rehman said that the suggestion of Tehreek-e-Taliban being allowed to open their offices in the country won't help in pursuing dialogue with them.
Expressing his disagreement with Imran Khan's opinion on the matter, Rehman said that there was absolutely no need for Taliban to open their offices and added that Khan's statement gave an insight into their agenda.
Commenting on PTI's suggestion to review and amend the existing blasphemy law in the National Assembly, Rehman said the law need not be changed but asserted that the misuse of the law must be kept in check.
The JUI-F chief said that according to the constitution Pakistan is an Islamic state and it will never become secular.
Imran Khan adamant about dialogue
Addressing the media in Lahore, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said that if All Parties Conference (APC) had decided on dialogue, then everything should be done to uphold that decision.
If Taliban can open office in Qatar for dialogue then why not in Pakistan for the same purpose, he questioned.
PTI chairman said that the dialogues with Taliban would be within the ambit of constitution of Pakistan if people were serious and imposed ceasefire immediately.
When asked about who would serve as mediators, he stated, "people in the tribal areas can be counted on to do the job. The government had successfully entered into an agreement in 2004 before former president General Pervez Musharraf sent military into the area."
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman said on Thursday that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan's earlier comments asking Taliban to open their offices in the country were "childish".
Addressing media at UNDP's Three Day International Conference on "Participatory Federation and Decentralisation", Rehman said that the suggestion of Tehreek-e-Taliban being allowed to open their offices in the country won't help in pursuing dialogue with them.
Expressing his disagreement with Imran Khan's opinion on the matter, Rehman said that there was absolutely no need for Taliban to open their offices and added that Khan's statement gave an insight into their agenda.
Commenting on PTI's suggestion to review and amend the existing blasphemy law in the National Assembly, Rehman said the law need not be changed but asserted that the misuse of the law must be kept in check.
The JUI-F chief said that according to the constitution Pakistan is an Islamic state and it will never become secular.
Imran Khan adamant about dialogue
Addressing the media in Lahore, PTI Chairman Imran Khan said that if All Parties Conference (APC) had decided on dialogue, then everything should be done to uphold that decision.
If Taliban can open office in Qatar for dialogue then why not in Pakistan for the same purpose, he questioned.
PTI chairman said that the dialogues with Taliban would be within the ambit of constitution of Pakistan if people were serious and imposed ceasefire immediately.
When asked about who would serve as mediators, he stated, "people in the tribal areas can be counted on to do the job. The government had successfully entered into an agreement in 2004 before former president General Pervez Musharraf sent military into the area."