Peace talks: Fazl tells PTI government to step back on peace talks
Says K-P government’s insistence could sabotage the entire process.
"JUI-F’s grand tribal jirga, which was mandated by the all-parties conference in February to hold talks with militants, is making efforts for peace," JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. PHOTO: IQBAL HAIDER/EXPRESS
PESHAWAR:
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government’s attempts to pressure the centre over holding talks with the Taliban could sabotage the whole peace process, said Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday.
Addressing the media following a JUI-F general council meeting at the party’s provincial secretariat, Maulana Fazl criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government terming it “inexperienced”.
Peace talks
“In the current situation, pressuring the federal government might jeopardise the entire peace process. More experienced people can solve the serious issues plaguing the country,” said Fazl.
Taking a jab at the PTI, he said the party is not aware that the Taliban are serious about talks.
“JUI-F’s grand tribal jirga, which was mandated by the all-parties conference in February to hold talks with militants, is making efforts for peace. However, this jirga is not acting on behalf of the government,” he clarified.
Nawaz Sharif’s US visit
Furthermore, Fazl also cautioned against immediately pinning too many expectations on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s US visit. “This is the first contact between the present government and the US, and Pakistan has conveyed its reservations to the US government,” he said.
However, the party chief himself expressed optimism the visit would yield positive results over the passage of time and stated Sharif’s visit should not be made the subject of traditional politicking and statements.
Fazl also talked about local body elections and said the provincial government should take oppositions parties into confidence on the matter.
Fazl’s JUI-F has been at daggers drawn with Imran Khan’s PTI since the election campaign for the general polls and has kept the PTI-led Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government at the receiving end of criticism since the party took power in K-P.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2013.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government’s attempts to pressure the centre over holding talks with the Taliban could sabotage the whole peace process, said Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday.
Addressing the media following a JUI-F general council meeting at the party’s provincial secretariat, Maulana Fazl criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government terming it “inexperienced”.
Peace talks
“In the current situation, pressuring the federal government might jeopardise the entire peace process. More experienced people can solve the serious issues plaguing the country,” said Fazl.
Taking a jab at the PTI, he said the party is not aware that the Taliban are serious about talks.
“JUI-F’s grand tribal jirga, which was mandated by the all-parties conference in February to hold talks with militants, is making efforts for peace. However, this jirga is not acting on behalf of the government,” he clarified.
Nawaz Sharif’s US visit
Furthermore, Fazl also cautioned against immediately pinning too many expectations on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s US visit. “This is the first contact between the present government and the US, and Pakistan has conveyed its reservations to the US government,” he said.
However, the party chief himself expressed optimism the visit would yield positive results over the passage of time and stated Sharif’s visit should not be made the subject of traditional politicking and statements.
Fazl also talked about local body elections and said the provincial government should take oppositions parties into confidence on the matter.
Fazl’s JUI-F has been at daggers drawn with Imran Khan’s PTI since the election campaign for the general polls and has kept the PTI-led Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government at the receiving end of criticism since the party took power in K-P.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2013.