Nawaz has no authority to hold peace talks: Pakistani Taliban

Dawn.com Agencies Published September 29, 2013

KARACHI: The Pakistani Taliban militants Saturday assailed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for changing his mind and giving preconditions of weapon lay down for the APC-backed peace talks with them.

The comments appeared to have been sparked by an interview Sharif made with the Wall Street Journal during a trip to New York, in which he said militants must lay down their arms and follow the constitution. Previously the prime minister had not given preconditions for the talks.

The prime minister had also indicated during his meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry that while seeking a dialogue with the Taliban, the government is also considering a more vigorous police and military action against them should the talks fail.

A spokesman for the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while criticizing Sharif in an interview to a local news magazine, said his government was not serious about holding peace talks.

The spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid, did not explicitly reject the offer but his words gave little room for negotiations.

“By telling us that we will have to lay down arms and respect the constitution, the prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, showed that he is following the policy of America and its allies,” the spokesman said.

Declining to accept the writ and authority of the PML-N government, Shahid said: “He (Nawaz Sharif) is talking about laying down arms and accepting the Constitution. If we were willing to do that, there would be no need to have any kind of dialogue.”

“We will hold talks with (the government) only when it gets the authority to take decisions.”

Replying to a query about proof of Sharif’s ‘authority,’ he said there were three steps required for confidence-building; pull out the Army from FATA, release of Taliban prisoners, and end to US drone attacks in Pakistan.

“We will present our terms and conditions when we sit down for dialogue. What we have already mentioned are not conditions or preconditions, they are steps the government must take to build confidence and prove they have authority,” he added.

Answering a question regarding repercussions of a full-scale military operation against the militants, he said, “The operation against us has been going on for the last 10 years already. We have become used to it. We even welcome it.”

Pakistan

‘Vigorous action if Taliban talks fail’

Sharif defends talks with Taliban, seeks end to drone strikes

Atique

Sep 29, 2013 01:42am

TTP are illiterate and cold blooded murderers, It is beyond them to understand Islam.It is foolish even to think about the dialogue with them.

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bangash

Sep 29, 2013 01:52am

TTP has not central command or overall commander. They cannot guarantee any peace deal or negotiations hence it is useless to talk to them.

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People

Sep 29, 2013 01:52am

The demand of Taliban to pull Army out of FATA areas and stop drones attacks is a ligitimate demand and is in the favor of Pakistan. A child understand that there is no value to keep Army in FATA. The wat of USA is not be fought at the expense if lifes of Pak Army soldiers. The case of prisoners can be negotiated with Talibans. At least accept the first two demands and bring peace to the country. If the govenment is serious abour the country and people then they have to stop receving the gifts from the USA govenment.

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imran

Sep 29, 2013 01:57am

Great. Now what?

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Shahzada

Sep 29, 2013 01:57am

We must not negotiate with these criminals. Whatever you do they will kill people. They only understand the language of a bullet and nothing else. Our government must take all out action, and this action should stop only when these criminals are completely destroyed and eliminated from our Pak land. People who hide their faces are cowards and cowards are not bold. If they are bold enough tell them to come out without mask and fight our army. But they will not. this i can guarantee.

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Akhtar

Sep 29, 2013 02:03am

Shareefs have no guts to fight Taliban He will run away as before Bring zardari back and with unified support he can defeat the scrounge of terrorism

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gangadin

Sep 29, 2013 03:00am

Answering a question regarding repercussions of a full-scale military operation against the militants, he said,

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sherie

Sep 29, 2013 03:10am

as a pakistani i take serious offence to these lawless goons saying such things about our head of the government whom, one way or another, we (pakistanis) have chosen to represent us. if he says there are preconditions, its his prerogative. i want these goons to apologize, talks or no talks. how dare they say he has no authority when we gave him that. to the cowards: if you dont like our representative's stance, tough luck. we are not afraid of you, only sick of you, taliban e jahannum fil arz.

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Sep 29, 2013 03:14am

They are terrorizing the whole country and nobody has the guts to hang them in public. We need a revolution in this country.

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FAM

Sep 29, 2013 03:40am

To all the people clamoring to hold 'peace talks' with the TTP, please comment on the following from the TTP spokesman:

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Amin Zamani

Sep 29, 2013 03:56am

in pashto we say warka dang. meaning hit it bro

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Amjad Wyne

Sep 29, 2013 04:20am

These criminals are neither sincere nor interested in peace - hope the Nawaz government and Imran Khan realize this.

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Ibrahim!

Sep 29, 2013 04:31am

Mr Sharif has taken a principled stand! The terrorists need to lay down their arms, and agree to living peacefully in Pakistan. If not, these elements need to be hunted down, and wiped out in a major military operation, which should not end, till it meets its objectives. First and foremost the country's borders need to be sealed, to prevent cross border infiltration, such a step will effectively close the escape routes for the criminal elements.

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NASAH (USA)

Sep 29, 2013 04:43am

Interesting -- the murderers in Pakistan can lay down conditions -- but the highest Law Officer of the the country, the PM -- cannot. This is how the Taliban respond to 'talks' -- get them an 'office' in the PM house then they may lay down their weapons.

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muzammil ullah khan

Sep 29, 2013 04:53am

Only fools believe that there can be any dialogue with these murderers . The only option is to give the armed forces a free hand and give them two to three years to eliminate this menace . At the same time major cities must be tackled like Karachi is being tackled now . These coordinated actions will definitely lead to positive results. But before doing all this we must get rid of Iftikhar Chowdhry who always pokes his nose in every thing and ends up messing up things .

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Shah

Sep 29, 2013 04:54am

So its like saying, give us our guns and bullets, THAN we will talk. Listen up, you are scums of the earth and there is no way we will bow to you. you have been making Pakistan suffer for years now, you have done your worst. I wish the army finds you in your rat house and eradicate each and everyone of you since you are so eager to meet your maker!!!

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Idealist

Sep 29, 2013 05:05am

The argument against negotiating with terrorists is simple: Democracies must never give in to violence, and terrorists must never be rewarded for using it. Negotiations give legitimacy to terrorists and their methods and undermine actors who have pursued political change through peaceful means. Talks can destabilize the negotiating governments' political systems, undercut international efforts to outlaw terrorism, and set a dangerous precedent. Assuming that negotiations are appropriate in all cases would be no more valid a theory than one that assumes they never are.

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Sep 29, 2013 05:12am

There should be no talks held with these terrorists until they lay down their arms. Why should their cronies be released from jails who have killed scores of innocent people and are hell bent on destroying the Pakistani society and the civil liberties of its citizens in the name of "their" brand of Sharia.

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Agha Ata

Sep 29, 2013 05:52am

Dear terrorists. I am sure Nawaz Sharif has his own ways to prove his authority, not your ways.

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Sameer

Sep 29, 2013 05:57am

All this was always clear. TTP has never minced words about its goals. What one wonders is what this massive 'muzakaraat' chatter is amongst the hukumraans and many a sahafi.

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Zia

Sep 29, 2013 07:21am

The P M and his party themselves created confusion by calling for dialogue. He had no proper plan, just cried for a dialogue without any substance. Now after being in the helm of affairs his eyes are opened and knows in the depth of his heart that TTP is a binch of terrorists who do not understand sensible way of life. This bunch of illiterates have no idea of humanity so why pursue understanding with them and they have shown their destructive idealogy which everyone knows. Imran Khan talks of their offices, doesn't he knows they hundreds of offices - the so called religious seminaries. Here we end with both these political mindset and now readers should make their decision.

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Pakistani

Sep 29, 2013 07:33am

We should not hold talks with Taliban killers, we should take action to save Mother land Pakistan

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Shahpur

Sep 29, 2013 07:50am

Taliban know, it is the SAUDI and QATTARI, who has the authority to negotiate.

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Amjad

Sep 29, 2013 08:50am

Time is ripe to butcher all of them now.

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M. Omar

Sep 29, 2013 10:52am

If you give these people an inch they will take a foot. There is no peace with them.

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Shah

Sep 29, 2013 01:06pm

Dear Taliban Scum, You have no authority to be in my country or in any other country. You are a dark sport on my religion and a good Taliban is a dead Taliban only. Regards, Shah

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Guest63

Sep 29, 2013 01:13pm

WOW , is Mr PTI Khan listening or he still wants not only to Talk to these monsters But also provide them an office within the country ??? If he is so much sincere to their cause which certainly is not the cause of the pakistan and the pakistani nation as such , he perhaps can give them his Party's secretariat in KPK to start with and then see what they do to him and his party

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Sep 29, 2013 01:22pm

This interview was published in Newsweek Pakistan.

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Sep 29, 2013 02:16pm

And that gentlemen, is precisely the definition of an impotent government

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Tas

Sep 29, 2013 02:43pm

A week leadership can only embolden the terrorists.So, you can clearly see the result.The so-called TTP ( how many factions/sub-factions: 25, 40..?) has clearly stated its terms before they even consider talking to a week state. Peace talks with ghosts, murderers,criminals? Would the low IQ leadership understand this? The answer is,No.

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Bkt

Sep 29, 2013 03:01pm

The Taleban TTP demands that they not have to lay down their arms are acceptable if we also allow them to keep their arms when we bury them in their graves. They will be much more susceptible to talking if we decide to kill them all first and make arrangements for the talk later. The time for talking is over. We need action and we need ten TTP murderers slain for ever Pakistani they have killed.

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Ravi Ingale from Pune

Sep 29, 2013 03:08pm

Taliban forcing government to take steps as they want, means how these Taliban griping Pakistani lands that they force do anything to government of Pakistan. But until they seizing of land, what government was doing??

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Karachi bhai

Sep 29, 2013 04:22pm

An open challenge to the state.

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Khalid

Sep 29, 2013 08:30pm

The government should "never" negotiate with these "barbaric animals" They should be "wiped off the face of the earth" Dealing with such animals should be "forbidden" They have "no concept of islam or anything else for that matter"

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ali ahmed

Sep 29, 2013 08:32pm

The cat is out of the bag. Attack these cowards and destroy terror networks and hideouts of TTP.

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Abdullah N

Sep 29, 2013 08:44pm

@gangadin: What is taliban's agenda ? A rule, just like they ruled Afghanistan before Americans chased them out ! Are you ready for it ?

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Sep 29, 2013 09:23pm

*"he said there were three steps required for confidence-building; pull out the Army from FATA, release of Taliban prisoners, and end to US drone attacks in Pakistan"* well thank you for stating your conditions, because atleast first 2 are not happenig.thats makes it easier for all to come to concensus on mil ops in NWA

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sana sarfara

Sep 29, 2013 09:42pm

Totally. US drone attack in waziristan on 29th sept following his call at UN for stoping these attacks which are 'violation of soverignity n territorial integration of Pak' shows his absolute authority as PM.

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julian

Sep 29, 2013 09:59pm

Imran Khan should be asked does he know what is the ideoligy of TTP and ask him how much does he agree with it only than he can have talks

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khan

Sep 29, 2013 10:21pm

@gangadin: what is funny that it was the govt itself who proposed the peace talks. i mean if you try to beg peacefrom your enemy and at the same time command them to accept peace(asking them to lay down the weapons) it takes the peace process nowhere but it shows your lack of sincerity. the problem is pak govt is changing its stance everyday. your enemy has not spoken a word and are trying your best to antagonize them. It shows a real lack of immaturity and shows how unsure Mr. Sharif is. you say one thing in pakistan and say the opposite outside of pakistan. People who are proud of Sharif as their PM are just plain stupid.

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Aftab

Sep 29, 2013 10:21pm

@Idealist This is the reason that majorities of government around the world and especially in the western countries governments refuse to negotiate with terrorist organizations even during hostage situations. And it does not matter who the hostages are or how influential they are. This has proven to the terrorist organizations overtime that this tactic will not work so they are forced to find new ways. So basically what I am saying that negotiations should never be held with anybody and especially with the terrorists from a weak position because you will lose control of the situation if you do so:

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Aftab

Sep 29, 2013 10:39pm

@gangadin: So what's your point we should just bow down to their demands and kiss the ground they walk on. Wake up and smell the coffee already. If the people of the nation are united then nothing can the taliban or anybody for that matter can do to win over the masses.

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Aftab

Sep 29, 2013 10:44pm

@Akhtar : Bring zardari back, he was their for 5 years what the hell did he do to improve the security of the country and lives of the people of Pakistan. What he did do was travel to other countries and over 95 times during his time in the office and most of the time to Dubai to visit Bilawal while public paid the bill.

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Ata

Sep 29, 2013 11:59pm

@gangadin: Your arguments would have made sense if your glorified groups had ever conquered anything in all three territories as you mention. History pages are empty but we do know they all ruled well here for years and left them when their objectives were fulfilled. Please don't make yourself fool by these bogus arguments.

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ali

Sep 30, 2013 06:17am

After this statement has come out there is no room for talks, as not only they do not want to lay down arms but are not ready to accept the constitution.

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Vikram Harelkar

Sep 30, 2013 02:14pm

@Shah: I totally concur with your views -- save for the ending -- which should have been better expressed as "NO Regards" or similar!

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Abdul KH

Sep 30, 2013 02:47pm

At least these terrorist have clear agenda and they know what actually and exactly they want, not like our so called professional politicians who are not even on the same page before going into in any kind of negotiation with these terrorist

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Khalid

Sep 30, 2013 05:17pm

Anyone uttering any sympathy with Talibans needs to be tried for treason. These are not human beings and must be treated as such. We have given them enough benefit of the doubt. They have killed children, elederly, young, women and soldiers. How can anyone even think about talking to them?. has the state become so weak that it can not finish them off once and for all?.

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aditya

Oct 01, 2013 05:46am

Face it..your army is flat out scared of them cause they KNOW they cant beat em..but of course all 170 million of yah have your heads in the sand and trust those incompetents

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yhas

Oct 01, 2013 05:56am

@Bkt: are you willing to conscription then, the Pak army needs every one to volunteer as the fight will be tough!!!

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SMQ Zaman

Oct 01, 2013 07:19am

TPP's response to PM Nawaz Sharif's statement - give up arms and accept the Constitution - highlights the psyche of the people we are dealing with and it should now be evidently clear with some 59 different groups of Pakistani Taliban and insurgents (and increase in spate of bombings and killings in the last 28 days alone after the announcement of a 'dialogue' in the APC) and no initiative to even consider ceasefire by the TTP & Co. but now open declaration of non-acceptance of the Constitution of Pakistan and the writ of the Pakistani Govt. in this response by the TPP! How can you even start dialogue with these war-mongers, who are not interested in peace unless it's on their terms only! Wake-up people of Pakistan, there are no foreign agencies involved (some of are still living with conspiracy theories), you are fighting the 'Kharjiite Ideology' that has rejuvenated with full vengeance in the late 20th and 21st century!

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zaheer

Oct 01, 2013 10:14am

@Ibrahim!: No doubt that PM laid out a principled stand indeed but only in his interaction with western media. He should have done the same during the APC and his interactions with media in Pakistan after APC.

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Sandeep Chatterjee

Oct 01, 2013 04:30pm

Who the hell is in charge in Pakistan? Is it Prime Minister or the Army or the Taliban? Every one has their own view. No wonder Pakistan Foreign policy is in shambles? No one from outside knows who to talk to.

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prafulla shrivastva

Oct 01, 2013 04:31pm

@Atique: I have gone through with all the comments of common man on this article & I can conclude all wants peace & prosperity nothing else. Every body is against barbaric actions of Taliban, it confirms all common man in Pakistan is so helpless. Government should come forward & take strong action on Taliban they have made hell in Pakistan.

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muhammad

Oct 01, 2013 07:40pm

Since our leadership including Nawaz Sharif & Imran Khan showed the sheer cowardice by appealing unconditionally to these terrorists for peace therefore we should accept their all demands immediately and it is better that we should handover FATA in first step and all Country in second step to these innocent Mujahideen (according to Munawar Hassan).

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Oct 01, 2013 09:07pm

I am fully in support of the Army going in to FATA (each and very district, town or village that supports the Taliban) conducting a house to house search and arresting the rebels, their supporters, which includes family and friends. Pak army should go in full force, guns blazing and put an end to this cancer. If Taliban want to talk, fair enough they will have the opportunity from behind bars, if they don't want to talk, then its Pak army jawans barrel locked and loaded.

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sajid

Oct 01, 2013 11:47pm

These are our brothers. As all the political parties agreed in the statement issued we will not allow anything bad to be said about them

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