Any ceasefire must include an end to US drone attacks says TTP spokesperson. PHOTO: FILE
MIRANSHAH: The Pakistani Taliban on Wednesday insisted that US drone strikes in the country's northwest must stop before they consider peace talks with the government.
The main Pakistani political parties last month backed a government proposal to seek negotiations with the militants, who have been waging a bloody insurgency against the state since 2007.
The main umbrella Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction responded with a list of preconditions, including a government ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops from the tribal areas along the Afghan border where the militants have hideouts.
TTP spokesperson Shahidullah Shahid told AFP any ceasefire must include an end to US drone attacks in the tribal areas, which have been targeting suspected Taliban and al Qaeda militants since 2004.
"A ceasefire alone is not sufficient. The stoppage of drone strikes is essential, otherwise -- if drones continue to strike - we will not accept the ceasefire," Shahid said.
The Pakistan government publicly criticises the strikes as counterproductive and a violation of sovereignty, but Washington considers them an effective tool in the fight against militancy.
The TTP's demand adds a new challenge to the already bleak prospects for talks, hit hard by three attacks in a week in the northwestern city of Peshawar, which killed 142 people -- the vast majority civilians.
The scale of the violence shocked Pakistan and prompted vehement denials of responsibility from the TTP central leadership.
Past peace deals with the Taliban have quickly broken down and been sharply criticised for allowing the extremists time to regroup before fresh attacks.
COMMENTS (46)
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@Syeda Jafri: Even being a terrorist group TTP don't present a unified front. They are bunch of separate factions, as a bottom line fighting their own war with personnel aims but using cover under "Jihad". And TTP is doing nothing but accepting every event made by them !!!!! Read more....... link text
Even if the recent blasts were not carried out by Talibans, no one has doubt that they've killed hundreds of innocent people for which they have claimed resposibilities in recent past. Talking with such people is only waste of time. You negotiate with those who have a policy, understand logic & reason. You accept some of their demands & they accept yours. What they have to offer in this case? Its really so hypocritic of our political leaders to forget those innocent deaths & terrorism & submit at the face of this threat. Wait till these people come hunting these leaders & their families & their cities like Peshawar & Karachi & see how easily they then negotiate with these terrorists.
@saeed:
Good thinking!! If it is found out now or later that there were any one or more members were involved in the christian carnage, thedir tribal chiefs will bury the culprits alive, yes alive. This is the culture which they operate in their tribes! What says the Americans with their 'Prism' spy net work or the famous ISI, or even the UK 'Tempora' spy net work!! Pakistan Pm could at least ask its American friends?
Rex Minor
@Raj - USA: Not only in thoughts, but they are one people! They are learning fast and follow the American strategy, " if you are not with us then you are against us".
Rex Minor
@Saleem: One can only admire your spirit but this not the solution. People want peace and not your war rhetoric.
Rex Minor
@Zaida P: TTP provides security for PTI to rule in the provine ; this is a fact and there is no use denying it. PTI must lead the political transformation in the province and if it is opposed by the central Government and or the army leadership, then it has no mandate to function.
Rex Mnor
PTI and TTP to merge shortly.
We all know what that means, NO PEACE!
@Tayyab: BTW, you neglected to tell us the name of the report you refer to about Drone Strikes! Did your keyboard run out of ink????
and those of you geniuses, who believe Drone Strikes kill terrorists, read the report again,...only 3 out of a total of 800 odd people killed in drone strikes till 2011 were known terrorists. Go drone your families now.
Taliban shopping list; Stop drones Release all our "brothers" Scrap the constitution! Eliminate all minorities to make Pakistan really the land of the pure! Establish caliphate to rule the world! Threaten west with nuclear weapons! Wait for the hidden Mahdi to stop all the incoming nuclear warheads!
I wonder how many of you bashing and ridiculing IK here, were the ones going GAGA six months ago, when even a spit coming out of his mouth was GOLD for you. And I can bet a gazillion dollars, you will again do the same if he is proven right. Filthy Hypocrites
Ok.. this can also be read as 'If our american partners dont stop killing you, we will not stop killing you'
@akhtar tak:
Nawz is busy building his empire, he does'nt have time to think about it. Oh he is also busy touring various countries on tax paying money. If he decided to stay in the country then he will think but how can he think about it when he has so many portfolios besides PM to look after. As for Kayani, he has only less than 2 months to left. Now he wants to rest probably.
@Ali S:
But the taliban did not take the responsibility of Peshawar blasts.
@Farhan:
You must be out of your mind. Do you think drone strike is done by Pakistan?
Drones mostly kill AQ and TTP Terrorist. Handful of civilians that get killed are the families of those terrorist that get killed. That is why drone Pinches these zombies so much. Very few locals voice to stop drones cuz the only time the innocent get effected is when they are taken as shields by the AQ or TTP
TTP and their followers like IK never fail to amaze the rest of the world.
Incredible and powerful logic - I'll keep killing "my own people" to get drone strikes to stop. Wow...dudes your aiming your sights really low...
@ ET editor, Seems like you have made an unintentional mistake in the headline of the news: "TTP says US drones must stop before peace talks" It should read as: "Imran T. Khan says US drones must stop before peace talks"
Drones seem to be the only thing they are afraid of. Stopping drones should be linked with their laying down arms which is not going to happen so this demand is a non starter.
The bombs kill hundreds of innocent people. The drones are believed to have killed hundreds of innocent people. Look at the simillarities in both sentences..innocent people are killed and ufortunately both are pakistanis. People who survive the bombs want to drone those who have survived the drones and vice versa. America is using drones which are counterproductive and kill innocent pakistanis directly and indirectly i.e. By using drones and bombs.
Drones have killed hundreds of innocent people. Bombs have killed thousands of innocent people. Do you realize the simillarities in those two sentences? Killed, innocent, people unfortunately both are pakistanis..drones are operated by US and so are the bombs...directly and indirectly..
They don't need peace with Pakistan, they are interested to again time till ISAF exit. There are more than 63 factions in TTP, they are having no control to negotiate or direct them.
http://pakistanpostman.blogspot.com/2013/10/ttp-wants-to-gain-time-till-isaf-exit.html
Just a few preconditions for PEACE talks
Free all Taliban prisoners Withdraw Army from Swat and FATA Change Pakistani Constitution Stop the drone attacks
Hazaroon khuwa eeshain aisey, kay her khuwaish pay dum niklay Bahut niklay meray arrman, mugar phir bhi kum niklay
Impotent state and its leaders are being trounced by armed hooligans. Come on Nawz come on Kiyani Show your gritt
and the list goes on.....
so now Pakistan will demand for the US , our 'innocent,friendly' terrorists are being killed in your drone strikes,so please stop these brutal attacks on 'poor, peace loving' taliban. . Hope the US will pay heed to our demands!
@ Ali S: how come you know that the TTP were involved in the church bomb blast, if you have any proof then u must contact the KPK police, since TTP hasn't claimed any responsibility of this bomb blast.
Secondly, the drone attacks are killing innocent civilians. How can you just kill any person before charging an illegal activity on him? If you are doing this then there isn't any difference b/w the Taliban and you. Both are doing the same thing.
Ok. We'll twist the arms of US to stop drone attacks. Simple!
@Ali...I think you should read newspapers more regularly...Taliban first time in history have denied any hands in these attacks...I feel pitty for those who just for the sake because PTI will get some dirt brushes the idea of talks and peace in this region..you can get more issues to put blame on PTI guys...but just for once leave all the hate and think of the people on ground...you are afraid of talks but you are not agreeing to stop a tactic which has increased terrorism and polarization of society...which is this mad war...
Something fishy. TTP never care about innocent civillians being killed. Why are they caring so much about Drone attacks which, according to our great PTI kill only civillians?
So the Taliban want you to go to war with America as a condition to talking with them - pretty much a non starter - on par with Sharif's demand for them to disarm before talks.
Sure, drones must stop, but TTP also needs to be deweaponized and accept the constitution of Pakistan.
If the terrorists lay down their weapons there won't be a need for drone strikes.
Oh yes definitely! Drone attacks should stop but you have the liberty to carry out as many attacks as you want! Enough hollow talk of peace, drone attacks and targeted operations are the only way to get rid of these barbarians!
US drones must strike otherwise we will keep on killing Pakistanis.
Seems like the TTP is learning how to be political.
Except cease fire and stopping cease fire no conditiin must be accepted. Specially army withdrawl from area. By doing this we will loose all gains
They bomb a church and market in Peshawar and then have the cheek to demand this. If our government (or IK's, for that matter) had any spine whatsoever, their response would be along the lines of "Be thankful that we're not carpet bombing North Waziristan". That's the only language they understand.
Amazing !!!!! Simpley Amazing. TTP and PTI are so much unanimous in all their thoughts.
NO. All taliban terrorist activity should stop, they should lay down their weapons, and accept the constitution of Pakistan before of any negotiations.
Pretty much legitimate demand...
Strange logic of TTP. How can Pakistan stop drones ? Why can't TTP bring down drones and fight with US directly like their counterparts are doing in Afghanistan?