Khattak stressed the importance of putting in place a dialogue strategy so that talks are not conducted through the media. PHOTO: APP/FILE
In an official handout released on Tuesday, Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak said Taliban continue to point out that there has been no formal offer of talks from the government side and “we (K-P government) are also aware of this delay.”
There have been three all-parties conferences (APC) on terrorism held this year. All conferences passed unanimous resolutions mandating talks with the Taliban. So far, there has been negligible progress on that front.
Khattak added ‘inaction by the federal government to operationalise the APC resolution and move forward with peace talks is allowing those who wish to sabotage dialogue and peace to indulge in increasing acts of terrorism’. He stressed the importance of putting in place a structured dialogue so that talks are not conducted through the media.
The people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa along with the provincial government have to bear the brunt of the federal government’s vacillation with increasing acts of terrorism taking place and claiming innocent lives, the press release said. “To expose the opponents of peace the APC-mandated dialogue must begin without delay,” the CM said, adding “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif must do this on an emergency basis to give peace a chance.”
The province has suffered four major terrorist attacks in less than a month, including the assassination of law minister Israrullah Gandapur and suicide attacks at the All Saints Church in Peshawar.
When Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan visited the provincial capital last week after Gandapur’s death, he reemphasised the importance of talks with militants and said it would be much easier if the Taliban were permitted to open an office.
Drone strikes
The statement also mentioned civilian casualties of US drone strikes. The CM referred to a BBC report from last week where a UN investigation found that drone strikes had killed at least 400 civilians in Pakistan, far more than the US has ever acknowledged.
“Today we have the Amnesty Report on drone killings stating that the US must be held accountable for killings in Pakistan,” Khattak stated, adding the report vindicates PTI’s principled opposition to drones from the start. “We insist the federal government immediately stop drone attacks,” Khattak concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2013.
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The frequency of attacks does not change based on anything you do. They are constant and this is precisely why no talks should be held. Eradicate the Taliban with an iron fist.
PTI are a bunch of cowards who have thrown Pakhtuns to the TTP wolves.
Please change headline to: "K-P reiterates delay in surrendering country to TTP increasing terrorist attacks!" BTW, drones allegedly killed some 400 civilians in collateral damage! TTP kills some 30,000 plus Pakistanis in direct attacks specifically targeting civilians! Guess which K-P is upset about????
It's extremely cute when PTI gets bashed for caring about their province and want peace instead of bloodshed through military operation. Military operation isn't one sided and nor will it end in a day where Taliban won't cause any damage. We are looking ahead and want peace, not going back and want revenge. We have already lost 40k lives, we can't afford to lose 40k more. I am not saying free up the talibans or don't arrest them, I am saying do negotiations with those that want to do negotations and as we know, there are groups that want negotiations, fed govt just has been too incompetent to even build structure for talks. Nisar said they will do talks their way, is this their way? pathetic. Regarding military operations, Even USA could not beat talibans and failed with such army, equipment, intelligence and you think our incompetent fed govt can run a succesful military operation.. hah. good joke. We all must pray for peace in the country and like Imran Khan has said, if talks fail, we are all for Military Operation and whole public will stand with army and fed govt for operation. Think please, positively. Negativity is not bringing our nation together one bit.
KP.. the most difficult province of all. I hope PTI is a succesful story, a lot of hurdles in the way.. real test for PTI. I have hope and hope you all do too, we have been voting same politicians for last few decades and country has only gone downgraded in every aspect. Please wait 5 years to see outcome of PTI governance in KP. Patience is a virtue, especially in such hard times.
Yes KP govt, keep putting on pressure and if it still doesn't work, please give them a deadline. This shows that KP govt is dedicated and committed to bringing peace.
It is clear that there are fights going on in between TTP groups and that means that some do infact want peace talks! Please federal government, I beg you, try to do peace talks and if they fail, all parties are with you, whole Pakistan is with you for full out Military Operation.
PM will take no interest unless Lahore is hit. It's clear. Delay of negotiations is only putting innocent lives in danger, if you really want to do operation that bad, do it, stop putting innocent ppls lives at risk. You have federal government, you are decision maker, no one is stopping you either. People saying why don't KP govt do negotiations, please know that terrorism erupts from FATA, talibans reside in FATA, not KPK, it takes 30 minutes from Peshawar to FATA. KP govt do not have appropriate rights, equipment, army, agencies etc. to counter terrorism or do negotiations like fed government do and that is why they were given the mandate for it. Please understand this.
PTI political wing of TTP
Khattak Sb, this should be the last time you ask the federal government to initiate talks,, and if,, the federal government still goes the same way as it has been since the APC, you go yourself since 18th amendment empowers you,, go ahead PK, we are with you :)
Oooohhhh......for GOD'S sake come with a new excuse now MR CM. You guys are really sliding very low.
So the terrorists will keep on killing people until the government initiates talks? Sounds more like blackmail.
No matter how much criticism is heaped on them, they have maintained 'peace talks first' policy since the last 4-5 years, and the voters in KPK knowing this fully well, voted for them the most.