Peace process: Talks with Taliban are a must, says Fazl
JUI-F chief warns against launching operation on militants in March.
JUI-F head Fazlur Rehman gestures as he arrives to attend an election meeting in Lahore on March 31, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Tuesday said talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) – stalled by US drone strike – were a must for peace.
“There are hurdles in the way of formulating an effective strategy including a forum for this purpose but talks with the Taliban are a must for peace,” Fazl said while addressing the media at National Press Club.
Responding to a question, Fazl said it would be very unfortunate if an operation was launched against militants in March.
The JUI-F chief said the issue had transformed into ‘a very sensitive’ matter and that efforts were underway for peace which, according to him, had been his party’s stance since day one.
Referring to the parliamentary resolutions during the previous government, he said the parliament had failed to implement them.
“But now we urge the incumbent government to formulate and implement an effective policy to tackle the issue,” he said, adding that there still was a need for all stakeholders to evaluate the need for effective strategy and to remove hurdles on the path of negotiations.
Musharraf’s trial
Talking about the ongoing high treason case against former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, the JUI-F head said: “I have no interest in this case.”
Although he refused to comment on the issue, he did discuss the nature of case and expressed surprise over government’s decision to try Musharraf for abrogating the Constitution on November 3, 2007 and not for his October 12, 1999 coup.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2014.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Tuesday said talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) – stalled by US drone strike – were a must for peace.
“There are hurdles in the way of formulating an effective strategy including a forum for this purpose but talks with the Taliban are a must for peace,” Fazl said while addressing the media at National Press Club.
Responding to a question, Fazl said it would be very unfortunate if an operation was launched against militants in March.
The JUI-F chief said the issue had transformed into ‘a very sensitive’ matter and that efforts were underway for peace which, according to him, had been his party’s stance since day one.
Referring to the parliamentary resolutions during the previous government, he said the parliament had failed to implement them.
“But now we urge the incumbent government to formulate and implement an effective policy to tackle the issue,” he said, adding that there still was a need for all stakeholders to evaluate the need for effective strategy and to remove hurdles on the path of negotiations.
Musharraf’s trial
Talking about the ongoing high treason case against former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, the JUI-F head said: “I have no interest in this case.”
Although he refused to comment on the issue, he did discuss the nature of case and expressed surprise over government’s decision to try Musharraf for abrogating the Constitution on November 3, 2007 and not for his October 12, 1999 coup.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 8th, 2014.