Irfan Siddiqui welcomes Taliban's negotiation committee
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has formed a 5-member committee to negotiate with the government.
ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Affairs and Coordinator of Peace Dialogue Committee Irfan Siddiqui has welcomed the committee announced by Taliban for talks with the government.
In a statement here on Sunday‚ he described the constitution of Taliban committee as positive for peace.
Irfan Siddiqui said we are waiting for a green signal from the Taliban‘s committee so that serious talks for peace are started. He said the entire nation wants beginning of the dialogue as early as possible.
The Special Assistant on behalf of Peace Dialogue Committee thanked the renowned Ulema‚ who have called for making the peace process a success to end bloodshed in the country.
Meanwhile, Banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Sunday announced a five-member committee nominating Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) Chief Imran Khan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam- Sami (JUI-S) chief Maulana Samiul Haq, Mufti Kifayatullah of JUI-F, Maulana Abdul Aziz and Professor Ibrahim of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) to negotiate with the government.
Announcing the committee, TTP spokesperson Shahidullah Shahid said that Taliban are serious and sincere about negotiations and the government should also start the negotiations with all seriousness.
The previous government used negotiations as combat weapon and hope that this government will not repeat the past mistakes, he added. TTP spokesperson further said that there’s no reason to object over government’s negotiation committee and that TTP has formally announced their five-member committee.
Shahidullah Shahid also said that TTP will provide its political Shura’s guidance, supervision and complete protection in its ‘operated areas’ to the negotiation committee.
According to Dunya News, Taliban Shura have also prepared a list comprising 22 conditions.
On the other hand, PTI sources have said that Imran Khan was not taken into confidence by Taliban before including his name. JUI-F also called an emergency meeting on Monday to discuss Taliban dialogue process.
JUI-S chief Maulana Sami-ul-Haq also called an emergency meeting of his party in wake of dialogue between Taliban and government. Jamat-e-Islami also called urgent meeting after Taliban’s nominations for dialogue with the government.
