Parties-Jirga-Talks-670
Jamaat-i-Islami leader Syed Munawar Hassan, PML-N Chief Nawaz Sharif, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan attend the all parties conference hosted by the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl). — Photo by Tanveer Shahzad

PESHAWAR: Pakistani Taliban militants have welcomed the five-point declaration of an All Parties Conference (APC) called by the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam – Fazl (JUI-F) for steps to restore peace in Pakistan’s restive tribal areas.

Mainstream political and religious parties and civil society groups agreed at the moot on Thursday to negotiate peace with militant elements through a broadened tribal jirga earlier formed by JUI-F.

“The political parties have sent a positive message by excluding the word terrorism from the joint declaration. The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) shura (council) gives it high regards,” Ehsanullah Ehsan, spokesmen for the banned militant outfit, told Dawn.com on Friday via telephone from an undisclosed location.

The spokesman, however, said that Pakistani Taliban was still waiting for a “positive response” from the Pakistani military on the offer of peace talks with the militants.

Ehsan said that Taliban council also respected the gesture of all the political and non-political forces which have shown confidence in the members of the tribal jirga and have tasked them for holding peace talks. “We welcome and respect this decision,” he said.

The Taliban spokesman said a serious sitting for peace would help assess the seriousness of the government, the army and other stakeholders in moving ahead with the peace process. He said that such a step would also help judge “the powers of the jirga for holding such talks independently.”

Asked if the militants were willing to endorse a ceasefire and seize attacks on Pakistani security forces, the spokesman said: “It will only begin when we are on the table (for peace talks).”

“Ceasefire and such modalities can be discussed when we kick start the peace process,” he said.

To another query about announcing the TTP jirga team, which will be coming forward for the peace talks, he said:

“If most of the country’s forces can agree and build consensus on some figures to be part of the jirga, the Taliban will also propose their own names,” he said when asked about members of the team which may engage in peace negotiations. He, however, declined to disclose any names.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...