Peace process: JUI-S demands emergency talks with Taliban

ISLAMABAD:

Religious parties including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Samiul Haq (JUI-S) on Friday demanded that the government immediately initiate peace talks with Taliban as per the mandate of the All Parties Conference (APC).

JUI-S chief Maulana Samiul Haq accused the government of not being sincere in pursuing peace talks.

“It seems the peace talks’ offer is meant only to buy time before the military can launch an operation against the Taliban,” alleged Sami.



He was speaking at an event to mark the death anniversary of Maulana Azam Tariq, the slain leader of the outlawed Sipah Sahaba Pakistan (SSP). Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) had organised the programme.

Sami said he was ready to play his role in helping the peace process only if the government was serious in pursuing it. “Drone attacks are the biggest hurdle in the way to peace in Pakistan,” he said.

“Peace cannot be established until the government stops taking foreign diktats on its foreign policy matters,” Sami said, adding that the military operation would only worsen the situation.

Supporting Sami’s point of view, the ASWJ chief Maulana Muhammad Ahmed Ludhianvi demanded that the government announce a timetable for talks with Taliban. He said the process should not be further delayed.



“The government should form a committee for talks with Taliban. And it should also seek advice from religious scholars,” said Ludhianvi. He also demanded that the government arrest the killers of ASWJ leaders and provide security to those facing threats.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5^th, 2013.