PHOTO: FILE
The members of the committee are veteran journalists Irfan Siddiqui and Rahimullah Yusufzai‚ former ambassador Rustam Shah Mehmand and former ISI official Major (retired) Amir.
The premier added that terrorism and peace talks cannot happen at the same time, further stating that instances of violence will not be tolerated any more.
Nawaz also said that Islam is a religion of peace and it does not condone terrorism.
He expressed sorrow over the lives lost in terror attacks, stating that he can only empathise with the victims’ families.
With a thinly-veiled reference to General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, the prime minister also remarked that one dictator has turned Pakistan into a centre of terrorism.
After hearing about the formation of the committee, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman stated that the formation of the committee was not discussed with him and his party.
Govt wants result-oriented talks with Taliban: PM's special assistant Irfan Siddiqui
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Irfan Siddiqui said the first mandate of the Peace Committee would be to establish contacts with Taliban for dialogue.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Wednesday evening‚ he said the contact numbers of the committee would be publicised and the other side would be encouraged to contact its members too.
He said the committee would determine the next course of action after contacts had been established and a response received. He said it would be appreciable if the other side also nominated a committee or some individual for contact and dialogue.
The special assistant said the government understood that Taliban too, have appreciated nomination of the members.
Siddiqui said in response to a question that the committee is empowered to make necessary decisions. He said the talks did not have a time frame as yet but would always be a priority.
Imran supports move
“I welcome peace talks and request the prime minister that this be an open dialogue,” said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairperson Imran Khan.
He assured the PM and the speaker of the assembly Ayaz Sadiq that the party would fully support the peace talks.
Imran said that the approach to the dialogue should be systematic, adding that the groups who are unwilling to talk should be isolated. He said that those groups that are unwilling to talk only want to spread violence and terror in the country.
He also asked if there will be a ceasefire during the dialogue.
Chief Minister Pervez Khattak also welcomed formation of the committee, conceding that all members were well-respected and must be given the full mandate to ensure the talks ended in concrete results.
Khattak said that dialogue and jirga were the only solution to resolve complicated issues.
Background
On January 27, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentarians had voted in majority for an operation against the Taliban as opposed to peace talks. The parliamentarians had met in Islamabad to discuss the law-and-order situation in the country.
Earlier on January 23, the government had decided in principle to launch a military operation against anti-state groups. It had been announced that and the prime minister would make a statement about an operation in the next session of parliament. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, on internal security following a wave of deadly bombings in the country.
At the meeting, the government was informed by the country’s military leadership that “a full-fledged operation in the tribal areas” is required to curb sectarian violence and terrorism, officials had told The Express Tribune.
Later, The Taliban, while reiterating their offer for peace talks, had asked the government to come up with a “clear stance if it is sincere in pursuing dialogue”.
COMMENTS (12)
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A committee is usually composed of five members. One does the work, three others applaud while the fifth one excuses himself. The PM has given terms of reference but has put no time limit. These appointed gentlemen must be feeling very important indeed. The future of Pakistan is in their hands!
Nawaz Sharif is acting like a true statesman here. I voted for PTI and I may continue voting for them but still I am going to fully support NS's stance on terrorism, peace talks and economy since he came to this office. Wish you best of luck!
The team is well-balanced. I'm sure intelligent and liberal people like Yousafzai and Irfan Siddiqui will assure that the state's writ is established in FATA. And if they fail, we always have the option of crusing the terrorist and PMLN parliamentarians have shown their resolve to end this nightmare once and for all. Kudos to PMLN for finally being decisive.
I condemn this decision.
Irfan Siddiqui?????? Why? I thought he was a journalist/analyst.
@Uza Syed: Actually, contrary to my expectation, the committee seems well-chosen and balanced. Which member seems like a Taliban type to you? Or did you just make that comment without even looking at the names.
"one dictator has turned Pakistan into a centre of terrorism"- A unanimous truth.
I don't think this is gonna work ! Apparently they are trying to prolong the actual solution as much as they can .
Good step! Nawaz approach in deal critical issues is balanced/appreciate able and there is lessons for those riding on change slogan.