Feeling sidelined?: JUI-F chief downplays Sami’s role in proposed peace process
Maulana Fazlur Rehman warns policy of ‘solo flight’ would be counterproductive.
Maulana Fazlur Rehman. PHOTO: AFP
PESHAWAR:
Downplaying Jamiat Ulema-e- Islam-Sami (JUI-S) chief Samiul Haq’s role in the proposed negotiation process with the Taliban, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, on Saturday warned the policy of ‘solo flight’ would be counterproductive.
Addressing media at the Guest Hour Programme organised by Peshawar Press Club, Fazl reiterated the need for the government to outline a joint strategy by consulting all political parties and relevant stakeholders to start the negotiation process immediately.
“Any individual effort will not yield positive results in bringing the Taliban to the negotiation table,” said the JUI-F chief in an apparent reference to Haq, who claims he has been asked by the prime minister to mediate with the Taliban on behalf of the government. “We have made efforts in Parliament and outside of it for the establishment of peace by taking tribesmen on board,” claimed Fazl.
The JUI-F chief contended the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government was serious about holding peace talks and stressed all stakeholders should continue to cooperate. He maintained the talks have been hampered by continuing US drone attacks in the tribal areas.
“The strikes remain a major obstacle in the negotiation process and peace can only be restored when the country is free from the clutches of foreign tyranny,” maintained Fazl.
In response to a question about JUI-F’s demand to hold another all-parties conference (APC), Fazl clarified they had not made any such demands. “We only asked that steps be taken for the establishment of peace in light of the last APC’s decisions.”
Fazl also criticised all successive governments for failing to formulate a sovereign and independent foreign policy.
On December 31, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with JUI-S chief Maulana Samiul Haq at Prime Minister House and reportedly sought his help in bringing the Taliban to the negotiation table. Haq then assured the prime minister he would use his influence to ensure the peace process progresses in the right direction.
Haq is nicknamed the ‘Father of the Taliban’ and runs a madrassa in Akora Khattak where several Taliban leaders were educated. He is thus believed to yield considerable influence on them.
Incidentally, the JUI-S was not invited to the APC in 2013, which was convened to chalk out a plan to tackle terrorism. Samiul Haq was not made a part of the government’s plans of starting dialogue with the TTP after Fazlur Rehman expressed his reservations over Haq’s inclusion.
‘Lack of vision’
Taking jibes at the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government, Maulana Fazl said the people of the province had given their mandate to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and his party had respected their decision.
“However, the PTI-led coalition government has no vision to address the issues being faced by the people of K-P. The government is being run by non-governmental organisations,” alleged the JUI-F chief.
Talking about his party’s alliances for upcoming local government polls, He hinted the JUI-F had initiated negotiations with the Awami National Party, but a final decision had not yet been made.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2014.
Downplaying Jamiat Ulema-e- Islam-Sami (JUI-S) chief Samiul Haq’s role in the proposed negotiation process with the Taliban, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, on Saturday warned the policy of ‘solo flight’ would be counterproductive.
Addressing media at the Guest Hour Programme organised by Peshawar Press Club, Fazl reiterated the need for the government to outline a joint strategy by consulting all political parties and relevant stakeholders to start the negotiation process immediately.
“Any individual effort will not yield positive results in bringing the Taliban to the negotiation table,” said the JUI-F chief in an apparent reference to Haq, who claims he has been asked by the prime minister to mediate with the Taliban on behalf of the government. “We have made efforts in Parliament and outside of it for the establishment of peace by taking tribesmen on board,” claimed Fazl.
The JUI-F chief contended the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government was serious about holding peace talks and stressed all stakeholders should continue to cooperate. He maintained the talks have been hampered by continuing US drone attacks in the tribal areas.
“The strikes remain a major obstacle in the negotiation process and peace can only be restored when the country is free from the clutches of foreign tyranny,” maintained Fazl.
In response to a question about JUI-F’s demand to hold another all-parties conference (APC), Fazl clarified they had not made any such demands. “We only asked that steps be taken for the establishment of peace in light of the last APC’s decisions.”
Fazl also criticised all successive governments for failing to formulate a sovereign and independent foreign policy.
On December 31, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with JUI-S chief Maulana Samiul Haq at Prime Minister House and reportedly sought his help in bringing the Taliban to the negotiation table. Haq then assured the prime minister he would use his influence to ensure the peace process progresses in the right direction.
Haq is nicknamed the ‘Father of the Taliban’ and runs a madrassa in Akora Khattak where several Taliban leaders were educated. He is thus believed to yield considerable influence on them.
Incidentally, the JUI-S was not invited to the APC in 2013, which was convened to chalk out a plan to tackle terrorism. Samiul Haq was not made a part of the government’s plans of starting dialogue with the TTP after Fazlur Rehman expressed his reservations over Haq’s inclusion.
‘Lack of vision’
Taking jibes at the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government, Maulana Fazl said the people of the province had given their mandate to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and his party had respected their decision.
“However, the PTI-led coalition government has no vision to address the issues being faced by the people of K-P. The government is being run by non-governmental organisations,” alleged the JUI-F chief.
Talking about his party’s alliances for upcoming local government polls, He hinted the JUI-F had initiated negotiations with the Awami National Party, but a final decision had not yet been made.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2014.