The caretaker TTP chief Asmatullah Shaheen announces the new leader of TTP during a news conference in an undisclosed location. PHOTO AFP
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ruled out the possibility of peace talks with Pakistan as Mullah Fazlullah, the leader of the Swat Taliban, was named the new chief on Thursday.
Fazlullah was elected by the supreme shura (supreme council) a week after Hakimullah Mehsud was killed in a US drone strike. Sheikh Khalid Haqqani was chosen as his deputy. The TTP leaders from as far afield as Kurram Agency, Orakzai Agency, Bajaur Agency, Tank and South Waziristan participated in the meeting.
Fazlullah is the first TTP chief who is not from Waziristan. His deputy, Khalid Haqqani, hails from Swabi. It is for the first time that the TTP leadership comprises men from urban areas and not from Fata.
Meanwhile, Asmatullah Shaheen Bhittani, who was appointed interim chief of the TTP, ruled out the possibility of any peace talks, accusing the Pakistan government of ‘wielding no authority as it is under the US yoke’.
Bhittani told journalists that Taliban would continue their struggle for implementation of Shariah, adding that negotiations with the government would only be possible if it is freed of US slavery and has its own authority.
Bhittani said that TTP is not a political organisation. “The government had struck a deal with the United States and, under the garb of peace talks, it is selling out our fighters,” he said, adding, “The talks were merely a political stunt.” TTP spokesperson Shahidullah Shahid also spoke to reporters from an undisclosed location and discounting the possibility of negotiations, said, “Pakistan government is playing a double-game with us.”
Published in The Express Tribune, November 8th, 2013.
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@abc: Your comment: "Surprising appointment. I thought Imran Khan was the favourite for the post". This is the best and funniest comment I have heard in some time. Great tongue in cheek!
I think I just heard a predator drone ....
Poor GOP it is being accussed of double dealing by both the TTP and US.
Those asking for more drones don't realise that they will have to sacrifice 20-30 innocent countrymen living in tribal areas before a drone actually hits this new leader. How cold could these elites be who are living in their cosy houses away from tribal areas?
Ch. Nisar would be happy to find a new counterpart, he would be even anxious to meet and apease this man who has no respect for the state of Pakistan.
Judging from the comments,, I conclude everyone in Pakistan support drone strikes on TTP except ofcourse IK, Fazulur rehman and now the member Nissar the Int minister.
One more drone strike please.
Wish you good luck - Lets fight America !! Stop that drone!
@Ch. Allah Daad: How can they eliminate someone who is sitting safe in Afghanistan under the very custody of Afghan Government, where US doesn't operate any drone operation. So all those who think US will put the person -who serves her interest- out, lives in the paradise of a fool.
why should ttp believe in the political setup? these freedom fighters, who were prepared by the society to spread the "peaceful" message of Islam in and around the neighbourhood are being marginalised by the drone. the only solution left now is to hand over the entire country to them or allow it to become like afganistan. the outcome in either case is same.
@Ashah: This is a news because he the one PTI leadership will beg to, to come to the negotiating table
They say this is the man responsible for orchestrating the failed assassination of Malala - that should tell you what kind of person your trying to negotiate with. His goals are simple - eliminate Democracy, eliminate your Constitution, remove education and opportunity from women, and isolate Pakistan from everything non Muslim. . Anyone who reads this newspaper should be smart enough to know that under the Taliban there will be no ET, Dawn or other newspapers. And you won't have to debate things like YouTube as freedom of speech/press will be replaced by public executions in your football stadiums.
@Irfan: BTW, what about the tens of thousands of Pakistanis slaughtered by TTP, are they also "martyrs"????
@USAMA A kill is a kill!! Wht dont you get out of your drawing room & see how many innocent people lost their lives in this war of ours? You have tried it for 9 long years!! Yet no result. Peace talks are sabotaged before they even began. Don't you think thats Curious?
Why is this News ?
Mannn...!!!! they look so haunted!!! God Bless Humanity!!!
These murderers know no mercy and don't deserve it either. They are the worst enemies of the state and the people of Pakistan.
The government should not beg for talks with these monsters. The more the government gives in, the bolder they'll get.
This is a cancer threatening to spread all across Pakistan. The sooner we decide to do the surgery, the better. Denial and delay mean death for sure.
Please wake up Pakistan. Time is not on your side.
Anyone killed by the United States drone attacks, even a PTI leader, is a martyr .
More drones, pls.
This is what the US wanted.. Now there is no chance for dialogue, not even a little bit. This is the guy who did the church bombing and other recent attacks, he is the anti-dialogue leader and he is who we were most afraid of.. and he becomes the TTP chief.. Now, whole nation is behind army, operation must be done and I am hoping Imran Khan will change his stance due to this new appointment and stance of TTP that talks are no longer possible.
Look at their photos! They look like even bigger rogues than the one they replaced!!
The only option is to fight the Taliban . The longer Pakistan waits the stronger the enemy within becomes . As an Indian I am rather surprised that senior Pakistani politicians are not realizing that TTP has to be militarily defeated there really is no other way to go . Negotiating with TTP will only mean surrender , there is no middle path . Imran Khan was a great cricketer but has makings of a very poor politician . His populist positions are really not mature and thought through . His policies will give him short term political benefits but are likely to cause serious and long term harm to Pakistan as a nation . For most of its history Pakistan Army has made life very difficult for its politicians . Now it is the turn of the Politicians who are making the Pakistan Army look so weak and helpless in front of the challenge posed by a rag tag group TTP fighters .
Looks like Little Bearded Hitler is now in charge of this country's self inflicted genocide.
God bless you with drones.
America, please do us a favor and launch another drone attack. Act fast before this gets out of hand
Surprising appointment. I thought Imran Khan was the favourite for the post.
This is the man who ought to be taken out via a Drone. Send him to hell's fire.
Hope Drone attack kills this evil devil as well.
BTW, which army base will he be living beside??
Good. This means he'll soon be on his way to eternal heaven!
So the Drones could not track the time and place of this Taliban meeting? It would have been a jackpot for humanity. But Taliban can track funerals, shoppers, girls going in a school bus, people praying in masajid or churches, oil tankers and army caravan on the move. They can even track where to find duty bound security personel to slaughter. Lets see how ruthless or smart the new cheif is. Your days are counted too...sir!
The government may consider to strike down a drone to prove that they are not under the US influence. This will also enhance their height before the domestic audience. However PML- N has to weigh the pros and cons before taking such extreme step. Instead stopping NATO supply for few days/ weeks will be a better and safe option.
Now we will wait for another year or so begging for negotiations mean while taliban will do what there business is and we wont act thanks for there apologists (IK,PML(N),JI,JUI)