ISLAMABAD - The religio-political faction Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-S) has informally initiated the process of peace talks with Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) by conveying a message to some of its sections.
JUI-S chief Maualana Samiul Haq, who was reportedly given the task by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to initiate peace talks with TTP, has given an initial message to Taliban for this purpose.
“Maulana has given a message to TTP about initiation of peace talks, naturally it will take some time to formally bring them on table,” said JUI-S chief spokesperson Yusuf Shah, while talking to The Nation here on Friday.
Maulana’s message has yet not been given to all of TTP groups as it could take some time in this process, Shah added.
The PML-N government was earlier making efforts for peace negotiations with Taliban had reportedly stopped the process after the death of Taliban head Hakimullah Mehsud in a drone strike in the tribal belt.
Taking a new initiative, the PM around less than a week before had tasked the JUI-S chairman to make all-out efforts to pave the way for talks with the Taliban as his government wanted a peaceful solution. It is relevant to mention here that the idea of holding peace talks with the Taliban is controversial in Pakistan because the deals made in the past have largely fallen apart.
Other religious parties especially JUI-F have reportedly expressed their reservation over giving a green signal to JUI-S for peace talks by saying ‘the individual cannot resolve this issue’. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman has even expressed that there were hurdles in the way of formulating a concrete strategy.
JUI-F, in a bid to help the PML-N government by the mid of last month (November), which had halted its efforts for peace talks with TTP for some weeks, has already proposed to reconvene the Tribal Jirga of FATA to jumpstart the peace process. Maulana Fazl had also proposed that without involving the people of FATA, there could be no effective mechanism for talks with the Taliban.
JUI-F, being a coalition partner of PML-N, had earlier proposed a blueprint of the mechanism for peace talks with TTP but could not get a satisfactory response from government. Whereas, JUI-S chief Maulana Sami Ul-Haq spokesman claimed that JUI-F had no significant contacts with Taliban to resolve this issue.
PROTEST AGAINST DRONE ATTACKS
Staff Reporter from Peshawar adds: Activists of Insaf Student Federation (ISF)Friday vowed to continue their protest movement against drone attacks and would never allow NATO supply to Afghanistan through KPK until US assurance of stopping drone attacks in the country.
They were addressing the PTI workers on the eve of 42nd consecutive day of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf sit-in against NATO supply here at Hayatabad Toll Plaza Peshawar. Those who were present on the occasion include Provincial President of ISF Mina Khan Afridi, Central President Shahid Khattak, camp organizer Major retired Fayaz Khalil, MPA Ashtiaq Urmar, MPA Arif Yousaf and Mahmood Jan.
Addressing on the occasion, Camp Organiser Fayaz Khalil congratulated the PTI workers for completion of six weeks of PTI sit-in against drone attacks and NATO supply. On this occasion, student activists of ISF also staged protest demonstration against US for sabotaging peace dialogue with Taliban.
Insaf Student Federation Provincial President Sohail Khan Afridi said that as per the party chief Imran Khan directives the sit-in would be continues till US assurance. He said that the student of ISF checked document of the vehicles travelling under Afghan Transit Trade allow them after ascertaining its record.
He said that drone attacks are clear violation of Pakistan as well as international law but unfortunately foreign office formal statements to express their protest against US. He said that federal government must take practical steps to stop us drone attack on Pakistan.