PESHAWAR - Security forces continue arresting and torturing Taliban members besides launching operations against them despite announcement of a ceasefire which could affect adversely the existing healthy and conducive atmosphere for peace talks between TTP and government, alleged Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan on Wednesday.
The TTP spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid, in a statement issued to media said search operations and mortar shelling continued in Mohmand Agency while many members of TTP had also been apprehended in Karachi, Swabi, tehsil Kalachi, Charsadda and Peshawar.
He said TTP fully respected the ceasefire and had also disowned groups like Ahrar-ul-Hind and Jundullah. But even then constants raids, arrest and torture of their companions was going on, which was a violation of ceasefire and it might affect the prevailing suitable environment for peace negotiations.
The TTP spokesman said they were expecting the government would take note of it and focus on stopping such incidents to take the dialogue process to a successful conclusion. Shahidullah Shahid said there were certain elements in the government, who were trying to harm the dialogue process. The government should get control over them.
The TTP would make serious efforts to take the peace talks process forward and would not allow any of its member to violate ceasefire, he remarked. The detained men of TTP in Karachi and Ghalani in Mohmand Agency were being tortured, while for no reason, TTP men were being shifted from Karachi Central Jail to interior Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan, he accused government.
“Due to shifting of TTP men to far off areas, their relatives face problems in dealing with cases and meeting with them, and what is logic behind this decision, we are unable to understand,” he said adding, "We want to make it clear again, we are sincere in holding talks and will strive to make it successful". The TTP would not allow its people to violate the ongoing ceasefire, he concluded.