Pakistani Taliban say ‘no contact’ yet over peace talks

Published November 1, 2013
In this Oct 5, 2013 photo, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid (centre) speaks in an interview at an undisclosed location in Pakistan's tribal areas.—AP Photo
In this Oct 5, 2013 photo, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid (centre) speaks in an interview at an undisclosed location in Pakistan's tribal areas.—AP Photo
In this Oct 5, 2013 photo, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid speaks in an interview at an undisclosed location in Pakistan's tribal areas.—AP Photo
In this Oct 5, 2013 photo, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid speaks in an interview at an undisclosed location in Pakistan's tribal areas.—AP Photo
In this Oct 5, 2013 photo, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid, right, arrives for an interview at an undisclosed location in Pakistan's tribal areas.—AP Photo
In this Oct 5, 2013 photo, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid, right, arrives for an interview at an undisclosed location in Pakistan's tribal areas.—AP Photo

MIRAMSHAH: The Pakistani Taliban said Friday they have had “no contact” with the government, a day after officials said a process to initiate peace talks had been started.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Thursday that the “process of dialogue” had started, and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said “structured, formal” talks with Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants would soon be initiated.

Shahidullah Shahid, the main spokesman for the TTP told news agency AFP on Friday that there had been no overtures.

“No one has yet contacted us. The government is making announcements only by media, no peace talks have yet been started,” Shahid said. “The beginning of peace talks means sitting at a table and discussing issues, no such thing has yet happened.”

The TTP have waged a bloody six-year war against the Pakistani state, which has left thousands dead. The government of Prime Minister Sharif has been edging towards peace talks to end the bloodshed.

Last month Sharif won the backing of the main political parties to go ahead with peace dialogue with the TTP, and the powerful army chief has voiced his support.

After the political parties gave their backing to talks, the TTP issued a list of preconditions including the release of all its members held in Pakistani jails and the withdrawal of troops from the tribal areas along the Afghan border, where the militants have hideouts.

Shahid on Friday reiterated these demands and said the government must fulfill them to prove they are serious about talks.

Opinion

Editorial

Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.
Concerning measures
Updated 03 Nov, 2024

Concerning measures

The govt must seek political input and consensus on the changes it is seeking to make and be open about its intentions.
Short-lived relief?
03 Nov, 2024

Short-lived relief?

POLICYMAKERS must be jumping with joy. At the close of the first quarter of FY25, the budget posted a consolidated...
Brisk spread
03 Nov, 2024

Brisk spread

THE surge in polio cases has reached distressing levels with a tally of 45 last reported, after two cases emerged in...