Govt, Taliban committee review talks progress

Maulana Samiul Haq says that next meeting will be held once a venue and time for it is decided.


Web Desk March 29, 2014
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan meeting with the Taliban negotiating committee on Saturday. PHOTO: PID

ISLAMABAD: The government and Taliban negotiating teams in their meeting in Islamabad on Saturday reviewed the progress in the recently held direct dialogue between the government team and Taliban Shura, Radio Pakistan reported.

Later talking to newsmen, Maulana Samiul Haq, member of the Taliban-nominated team, said that the agenda for further talks with Taliban Shura would be set during the next few days in addition to determining the venue and date of that meeting.

To a question, he said there was no deadlock in the talks and said progress has been made in the dialogue process.

Interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan headed the meeting.

Sources had said on Friday that the meeting would seek to break the apparent impasse in the peace process, particularly regarding the release of non-combatant prisoners. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed that as many as 400 non-combatants, including women and children, are in the custody of the security agencies. However, the security agencies have refuted these claims.

“The issue could potentially be a deal-breaker in the talks,” said one official, who told The Express Tribune that the TTP had not given concrete assurance regarding an extension of the one-month ceasefire, due to expire next week.

Officials say the government’s patience is wearing thin as ‘tangible progress’ in the dialogue process has yet to be seen. “The government does not want to prolong the ongoing talks,” a source quoted the interior minister as saying.

COMMENTS (1)

Peace and Justice | 10 years ago | Reply

The power in incompetent hands; Army, Agencies, Politicians, Bureaucracy and Institutions have destroyed the past, present and future of Pakistan and integrity of its Nation. For the last 65 years the system is totally failed in establishing integration, sovereignty and identity of Pakistan and its Nation. For 65 years of useless involvement in international politics and fighting their wars have spoiled and weaken the internal setup of the whole system. While the ignoring and exploiting the diversity, faith, culture and beauty of the land, due status of the provinces, honor of the nation and self identity and lack of honest and intellectual approach has vanish the integrity of the Pakistan. Pakistan must need to learn from the last 65 years of worst experiences and must establish the system of justice, equality and unity among self and must learn to respect and being respect by the neighboring countries. All the institution must respect the voice and rights of the people, must respect their faith, belief, culture and social setup. The provision of sharia or a diversity in the administrative system according to the demand of the people must be respected. What type of system and environment they want for their livelihood, society and system of justice must be established. The diversity in culture, faith, belief and society is the beauty of the land and no one can homogenized at at the cost of suppression, exploitation and humiliation.

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