Proposed negotiations: DPC throws weight behind Samiul Haq over Taliban talks

Announces plans for Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5.

NOWSHERA:

Leaders of Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) on Saturday expressed confidence in Maulana Samiul Haq over negotiations with the Taliban.

This was stated in a meeting held on Saturday with Steering Committee Chairman Laiqat Baloch, and attended by a large number of DPC leaders. The DPC leaders also demanded that in future, all steps regarding talks with the Taliban be taken after consultation with Haq. They said if the government was not serious about peace talks and was aiming for a military operation, then DPC will not be a part of any such overtures.

Earlier this week, Haq, who is also the DPC chairman, said he put his life at risk for the “sake of the country” but did not find any seriousness for negotiations, therefore, he wanted to distance himself altogether.

The DPC leaders also announced their plans to observe Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5. They said a seminar will be held on February 1 in Multan under the administration of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat before the main event.

On February 2, a news conference will be convened by DPC leaders in Islamabad. On February 5, a conference will be held in Muzaffarabad where former prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Atiq Ahmad will be the chief guest.

On the same day, public rallies will be held in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi. The rally in Lahore will be organised by Jamaat-ud-Dawa while Jamaat-e-Islami will lead the rallies in Karachi and Islamabad.

It was also decided in the meeting that the council will hold seminars in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi in the month of February and March against ‘external influence’ on Islamic culture, target killings and sectarianism.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 26^th, 2014.