Negotiations only way to combat terrorism: TTP

PESHAWAR - Maulvi Omar spokesman of Tehrik Taliban Pakistan has said that negotiations for peace between them and government is a continuous process and its results are very satisfactory.

"We, government and Tehrik Taliban realized that violence could be combated through talks and dialogues," he remarked in a brief telephonic interview with daily TheNation on Friday.

He reminded that Tehrik Taliban has declared unilateral ceasefire at Dara Adam Khel and several other parts of the region, with a view to enabling the negotiators to be successful in their drive.

"There is no justification for the US and NATO forces to intervene in the affairs of other countries," was reply of Maulvi Omar when his attention was diverted to reports pertaining to the US pressure on Pakistan for guaranteeing that Taliban would not attack NATO forces inside Afghanistan.

He said that Afghan government is justified in such type of demands whereas Americans have no right to raise such types of demands.

Elaborating his point of view, Maulvi Omar said that United States and NATO forces have forcibly occupied Afghanistan and they must leave the country. In this respect, he justified the resistance of Afghan Taliban against the US forces inside Afghanistan.

In response to a question, Maulvi Omar denied involvement of Tehrik Taliban Pakistan in resistance against the US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. He said that they were determined to extend cooperation to their colleagues in Afghanistan, whenever they express the desire. He said that US and NATO forces must vacate Afghanistan.

Maulvi Omar said that due to unrealistic policies of President Musharaf, the two sides suffered a lot.

Now when the newly elected government has initiated dialogue for resolving the matter, they welcome it, and added that they were determined to find out a solution to the conflict.

He said that negotiation process is going on and is yielding positive results. He was hopeful about its success in the near future.

Maulvi Omar reminded that agreement between NWFP Government and Tehrik Taliban Swat chapter has been signed while Taliban have declared unilateral ceasefire in Dara Adam Khel, South Waziristan and other places. "We sincerely favour signing of peace accords as violence is no more solution to issues and problems," he added.

It may be mentioned here that United States and several western countries are unhappy with agreements between government and Taliban.

The US led allies believe that after signing of agreements with Pakistan government, these militants could intensify attacks against the US and NATO forces inside Afghanistan. For these reasons the US allies are pressurizing Pakistan to ensure that Taliban would not go for across the border militant and terrorist activities.