Unfettered access: Govt mulls TTP ‘peace zone’ proposal, says officials

List of 300 ‘non-combatants’ handed over to Nisar.

ISLAMABAD:

The federal government is looking at the possibility of creating a peace zone where it could engage in direct talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), officials said on Monday.

The proposed zone is likely to be established in the tribal areas and will allow Taliban negotiators free movement for face-to-face dialogue with members of the government committee.

Maulana Samiul Haq, who is heading the Taliban intermediaries, told BBC Urdu that currently several TTP commanders were in hiding because of fear of arrest by security agencies.

“The Taliban cannot move freely in the area because of arrests and check posts of the FC and other law-enforcement agencies,” explained the leader of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-S).

He said the government and the TTP are expected to hold several rounds of talks once the process formally kicks off. “For this purpose, there should be a peace zone where the Taliban can come without fear of any arrest or action,” Maulana Sami maintained.



Another member of the Taliban committee, Prof Mohammad Ibrahim, clarified that it was not a demand but only a proposal from the TTP. “It is one of several proposals being discussed with the government,” he told The Express Tribune.

Prof Ibrahim, who had travelled to the militant strongholds last week for talks with the TTP political shura, maintained that formal talks would take place as soon as the venue for such a meeting is decided.

Officials said the government is looking at several options including the “peace zone” to begin talks with the Pakistani Taliban. However, the first-ever direct round has been delayed following disagreement over the venue.

A government committee member said he had no information about when the formal talks would begin. “I have not been approached by the government as yet,” said Rustam Shah Mohmand, who is part of the four-member negotiating team.

The list

Professor Ibrahim had handed over a 300-strong list of women and children, who according to the TTP, are in the custody of security agencies.

He confirmed to The Express Tribune that he provided such a list to the interior minister on behalf of the Taliban. The interior minister assured him that the government would look into the list, he added.

However, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and the security agencies have repeatedly denied that any women and children linked to the TTP are detained.

Prof. Ibrahim made it clear that the release of ‘non-combatant’ Taliban was not a precondition for talks with the government. “We think the release of women and children will help create a positive atmosphere ahead of the talks.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2014.