APC resolution: K-P reiterates delay in talks increasing terrorist attacks
CM says federal govt should begin structured negotiations on an ‘emergency basis’.
Khattak stressed the importance of putting in place a dialogue strategy so that talks are not conducted through the media. PHOTO: APP/FILE
PESHAWAR:
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has once again expressed concerns about delays in negotiations with the Taliban.
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.
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has once again expressed concerns about delays in negotiations with the Taliban.
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.