Maulana Samiul Haq distances himself from Taliban talks
The JUI-S chief says he appealed to the government to declare ceasefire that was not implemented.
PESHAWAR (Dunya News) – Jamiat Ulma-e-Islam (S) chief Maulana Samiul Haq on Wednesday announced to detach himself from the process of proposed talks between the government and Taliban.
The JUI-F chief said that the prime minister had assigned him the task of initiating talks with Taliban and the process of dialogue had begun on January 1 after which a positive response was received.
Samiul Haq said that he briefed the PM on January 2 and asked for further strategy however, he did not get any response despite the repeated contacts.
Maulana said he had appealed to the government on January 20 to declare ceasefire and requested to avoid military operation and use of power but an operation had been launched in North Waziristan, Tirrah Valley and other tribal areas.
The JUI-S chief said he was unable to play any role during this situation and was distancing himself from the process of Talks.
It is worth mentioning here that Maulana Samiul-Haq had stated that the government had given him the task of initiating process of dialogue with Taliban but the government had denied the statement of the JUI-S chief.
The situation further worsened when Taliban attacked a security forces convoy in northwestern town of Bannu and martyring 25 soldiers and injuring 30 others in a suicide bombing.
At least thirteen people including six security personnel have been killed in a suicide blast in a market close to Pakistan s military headquarters in Rawalpindi on Monday.
17 people including three school children were also wounded in the blast which tore through RA bazaar in Rawalpindi, Islamabad s twin city, at around 7.45 am (0245 GMT).
The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) movement has been waging a bloody campaign since 2007, carrying out countless bomb and gun attacks, often on military targets.
It is worth mentioning here that three options were focused in the national security policy including talks with Taliban, operation and targeted operation.
The government on Tuesday decided to implement third option of targeted operation after which militants hideouts were targeted in North Waziristan by the security forces.
The security forces launched air strikes on the hideouts of the militants in Mir Ali on Tuesday killing 33 Uzbek terrorists, 3 German and a key Taliban commander.
Wali Muhammad‚ Asmat ullah Shaheen Bittani‚ Noor Badshah‚ and Maulvi Farhad Uzbek are some of the key figures killed in the air strike.
Pakistani jet fighters and helicopter gunships began airstrikes in a northwestern tribal district on Tuesday.
According to security officials, key Taliban commander Adnan Rasheed, along with his wife and four relatives was killed in the airstrike while 25 other militants were also killed in the bombardment.
The decision of implementing third option was taken in the federal cabinet meeting and the meeting of Army chief General Raheel Sharif and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday.
It was decided that the talks would be held only with those groups who would surrender the weapons.
On the other hand, Minister for Defense Production Rana Tanveer Hussain stated that no operation was being carried out in North Waziristan, adding that security forces were only retaliating to militant attacks.
Talking to the media persons in Wah Cantt on Wednesday‚ he said political and military leadership had unanimity of views with regard to the strategy on Taliban.
He said decision whether talks or the operation will be taken in next few days.
The minister further stated that some groups have been contacted for the dialogue process.
