Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Saturday. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD: Lamenting the end of peace talks, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan alluded to a larger conspiracy aimed at disrupting talks with the Taliban, culminating in the drone strike on Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Chief Hakimullah Mehsud.
Briefing members of parliament on the status of talks with the TTP, the interior minister said the prospect of dialogue with the militants was "unfortunately" no longer possible.
He said the team formed to initiate the dialogue was meant to set off to meet the TTP today, but all hopes of dialogue had come to an end with the killing of Mehsud.
Nisar commended all the political parties for uniting to pursue peace talks, and showing patience despite ongoing attacks. He said evidence had been gathered for the Qissa Khawani attack, the Peshawar church attack and the killing of Major General Sanaullah Niazi, adding that the timing of these acts of terrorism was suspect.
He also thanked the Army which, "went the extra mile" to protect the peace dialogue, despite the grave security situation that was developing.
The interior minister did however blast the local media for its irresponsible reporting on the issue of peace talks, adding that he remained silent during "dangerous" misreporting and leaks at the time due to the sensitive nature of the issue.
COMMENTS (42)
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I suspect talks didn't even start to begin with, as TTP never gave any indication of willingness to do that. This would force the government to change their policies because PMLN is a pragmatic party, and if Mr. Nisar continues to lament for the opportunity that wasn't given to them it would possibly cost him his position. Maybe we could see him in PTI then.
@Ch. Allah Daad: You say "chip is placed near target which guides missile toward target"! NOT! A simple visit to WIKIPEDIA, followed by a search for "AGM-114 Hellfire" would have shown you details of the MANY variants of the missile, along with the fact that they are almost ALL LASER GUIDED TO THEIR TARGETS!!! (Millimeter wave radar seeker for very small number used in fire and forget engagements)!
Here is a conspiracy theory. PML-N always knew the strike was going to happen on Friday and hence the delegation was tasked to leave on Sat. PML-N govt didn't want to negotiate and can now blame the US for sabotaging the talks and will pretend that they are forced to launch the operation that they always wanted to. Nisar's rants are for domestic consumption. Imran knows it and is not going to give them any quarters. Talibans should also call the bluff and offer to negotiate.
@FoY: "Yeah, the leaders are not short sighted like you. wait now, and see how taliban bomb you and your countrymen. You fail to understand that the army has already failed at eliminating the talibs."
Pak army has the aerial fire power while Taliban / TTP don't. It is the matter of will to confront. may be the fear of many many lives may get lost if full scale battle with Taliban is fought, or may be the army/ politicians want to use them( some group) against Americans/ Afghanistan/ India. If 180 million people get panicked by TTP then it is better cease to exist. Reasoning and logic has migrated from the minds of persons like you.
@saeed: Perhaps you should read how Drones work. It takes months to track down a target, which is confirmed by ground support. After confirmation a chip is placed near the target which guides missile towards target. When everything is in place, permission to hit is granted which also takes time. Saying that Americans were waiting to disrupt this drama of negotiation is ridiculous. These high value targets are very hard to find, because they have experience and resources to avoid Drones. Therefore opponent will never miss one opportunity which is available after a very long and hard surveillance. Hakimullah had killed Americans, Afghanis and Pakistanis. We don't care about our dead brothers and sisters but same is not true for Americans. They take revenge of their fallen countrymen.
@FoY: Sure they will bomb when the whole country has already legitimized their bombing them.The whole chatter of politicians ,media and the populace has primed TTP to attack and bomb the country,and now they can't and won't be blamed for the killings.You get what you ask for.
@mytwocents:
Yeah, the leaders are not short sighted like you. wait now, and see how taliban bomb you and your countrymen. You fail to understand that the army has already failed at eliminating the talibs. There's NOTHING you can do now (obviously except for flying abroad to save your life which most Pakistanis cant do)
We wish to see peace prevail throughout the country. Pakistan’s security and stability is simply vital to the region’s security and stability. We simply cannot over emphasize Pakistan’s importance in the region. We stand by Pakistan in its efforts to negate the threat of violence. The U.S. state department spokesman said: "The issue of whether to negotiate with TTP is an internal matter for Pakistan.” The official further added: “More broadly, the United States and Pakistan continue to have a vital, shared strategic interest in ending extremist violence so as to build a more prosperous, stable, and peaceful region.”
Ali Khan DET, United States Central Command
if we have to do negotiation whats the purpose of our Army and why shud,nt we negotiate with our baloch brothers and india we should have negotiated in 1971 and kargil war or the issue is that talibans are our muslims brothers and against hindus jihad is mandatory such a stupid nation those who are challenging government authority should be perished with force
@Iram: Very true.
We write these comments with out really knowing the facts, why the interior minister is so perturb about this blood thirsty terrorist's demise, the government knows more than us. It seems Mehsud was in contact with them and wanted to settle this terror campaign because they still have to live in Pakistan. Why was he killed and who was benefiting from his death, one scenario is that if peace prevails then these same very outfits will intensify their Jehad against Americans in Afghanistan while they are preparing to leave. And above all who wants to see Pakistan is destabilized to the extent that they are subservient to certain countries which also include India. Let us not forget that US and India are strategic partners now because of China's expansion, economically and militarily,It was a calculated attack just like the one at Salala where more than 28 soldiers were killed for some certain reason that we don't know but Pakistan's Army and ISI knew and that is why their reaction was so swift to retaliate for that attack. I think Nisar Khan should know that every body is expendable including Mehsud and if the desire for negotiation for peace existed in TTP then the new leadership will follow that route. Remember how Americans were negotiating with North Vietnam while bombing them at the same time, these terrorists are not dumb people and they will continue to kill the civilians and the security forces and negotiate a settlement at the same time to their benefit. For Pakistani policy makers, it should be clear that negociations will take time and effort, and should not lose the sight of bigger picture
What is next??
Honorable Mr. Nisar, it's about time for Pakistan government to design, plan n implement 3-6 months military training (on war front) for all 10th grader (high school) n 1st n 2nd year college students. Wisdom will be to train our younger generation how to defend country (hand in hand) with our armed forces n their cities, villages n families. We all should be able to read writings on walls, certain world powers do have evil eyes on our blessed country.
TTP is right*
@unbelievable...may be believing the farmhouse belongs to good talibans...
ETBLOGS1987
@saeed: "I need one answer from all the fake liberals here…why He was killed just a day before the starting of negotiations"
He was killed when they found him. It took them 10 years to find OBL and 3 years to find Hakim after he published a video taking ownership for killing 7 CIA agents. In 2010 itself US had announced a 5 million US dollar head money for this man (equals to approx. 50 crore Pakistani rupees) HE had bought a new home a year back but did not live there. They must have started tracking that and found the chance when they did.
You say he was killed just one day before talks were going to start. How do you know? If that was the case as Ch. Nisar says, why had they not removed the 5 crore head money on the man that they were starting negotiations with - just the next day?
what a shameful country making Hakimullah Mehsud.as a martyr...same TTP not allowing our children to get polio drops ,and want our children to become cripple ,,polio is spreading very fast in Pakistan...
@saeed: Saeed- remember that they tried to eliminate him multiple times - he was reported dead at least three times before. This time they succeeded - thankfully so! So, there is no conspiracy to sabotage the talks. The drone got a chance, took out a valuable target. Nothing more, nothing less.
Please post this!
@Pakistani: That was not the Taliban who did it Qissa or Peshawar church attacks for the 1 billionth time. Anyways so sad now more people will die. Yay! Have fun liberal fascists with more death news because we will never win this.......as usual the express tribune has never posted my comments, can't handle a different view to your one sided 1??? Noo?? Thought so, prepare everyone in pak for bombs everyday everywhere
so whats the plan now minister. Are we now fighting TTP or waiting for then to come and blow us mile high..
Topi drama... Talk never starts... it will never with killer....
One drone and govt surrender what kind of leader they, they openly say that they cant fight with US, what a shame,. geo mush
Basically, the taliban can kill 100s but Pakistan will still stay loyal to peace talks and believe the taliban will change. And one taliban leader dies, and suddenly its all over. Taliban are manipulating and ruling this country. they have the last word.
@saeed: So QUL will be at your place?
@saeed: I did not read you post completely but Meshud was a killer and rightly deserved this ending.
The only country in the world where the top political leadership laments the death of a terrorist who has killed more than 40000 countrymen.
Are we going for the other option now or will wait for the next season of "Peace Talks with the Terrorists"?
Ch Nisar's own family is American he was never going to go against US. Seems like PMLN bargained with US to do this way.
be focused. talks are over. if a drone with accurate ground intelligence can kill TTP chief, i think our fighter planes and intelligence agencies should learn from this. taliban show no mercy and respect to talks why should we become unilateral champion of negotiations.
Keep pleading - someone might merci on us. It's jungle law here; you don't negotiate with blood thirsty cavemen-mentality predators.
I need one answer from all the fake liberals here...why He was killed just a day before the starting of negotiations...no one loves this guy...but you negotiate with you enemies not friends...since the first day from APC every one starting from media to international agencies tried to sabotage this peace process...now it is done and dusted..so guys enjoy giving comments sitting at your home and please don't bother about the people who will get killed in the revenge...nice attitude..
So those who were set to fail task succeed? You admit failure of your gov?
OH we were just hours away from peace talks, peaceful taliban, law abiding taliban, and suddenly the drone came and made the taliban butchers. OH. its all the drone. otherwise taliban had opted to send militant madrassa students to proper schools and colleges.
Dawn article indicates Mehsud house was only one kilometer from Pakistan HQ in N. Waziristan - if you were serious about negotiations you could have dropped in for dinner almost any night. .
http://dawn.com/news/1054033/the-120000-farmhouse-where-the-ttp-chief-was-killed .
After months of talking about negotiations you never had a single meeting - never even appointed a negotiator. Now no progress has been made and none will be made because of those nasty American's. - that about sum it up?
By negotiation he wishes to safe his life, see the fear on his face.
Did the 'talks' ever start ? Did the killings ever 'stop' ? Fake leaders of a fake nation....misleading ignorant citizens.....off a dangerous cliff...while keeping their residences in Dubai and London ready as getaways....
I think what was done drone was not fair but are Taliban playing fair as well ?? Just remember Peshawer Blasts!!