High-powered peace committee meets in Islamabad

E-Paper | May 22, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Members of a high-powered committee formed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to initiate peace talks with the Taliban arrived in Islamabad on Thursday for consultations prior to their meeting with the premier.

The prime minister had announced Wednesday that his government had decided to give peace another chance by pursuing negotiations with Taliban militants despite a recent spate of attacks.

Shairf also named a four-member committee to facilitate the talks.

Highly credible sources told Dawn News that members of the committee – Peshawar-based senior journalist Rahimullah Yousafzai, former Ambassador Rustam Shah Mohmand, former ISI official Maj (retd) Amir Shah – have arrived in Islamabad and are holding consultations to chalk out their strategy.

The fourth member of the committee, columnist and Special Assistant to the PM on National Affairs Irfan Sidduqi, is already based in Islamabad.

Prime Minister Sharif has called a meeting of the committee on Friday at the PM House to discuss the next step in the proposed dialogue process with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

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mansoor

Jan 30, 2014 05:11pm

A bit of good news from Pakistan, at least a positive and constructive move. These four gentlemen have a huge opportunity and responsibility. Security of them must be bomb proof.

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Aasim

Jan 30, 2014 06:14pm

This is a serious effort from the government and on the other side Punjabi taliban nad TTP have also agreed to engage in Peace Talks. I think how much power these 4 would have while Negotiating with Taliban, what Talibans really want out of these talks and how much resilience government will show will be important factors in determining the success of these talks.

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Nasir

Jan 30, 2014 09:26pm

What does "High Powered Committee" means?. Is writer trying to be funny??

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US CENTCOM

Jan 30, 2014 09:40pm

It is no secret that the terrorists have been fully focused on destabilizing the region, and Pakistan in particular, continues to face the wrath of terrorism. We share a common stance against terrorism, and greatly appreciate Pakistan

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Khalid

Jan 30, 2014 11:27pm

Waste of time, waste of money and waste of an opportunity to get Pakistan rid of these terrorists.

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Afraid

Jan 31, 2014 12:15am

Mission impossible, I am afraid. How much will you give in. Their ultimate aim is to completely control they way we, the overwhelming majority, the ordinary people live. I do not want to live their way. Under them or even close to them, will I be able to live at all? I believe most Pakistanis are like me and it is us who have to say that we reject them. The problem is beyond the negotiators, the army or the government. We, the people, must speak out and reject them. The best our government can do is to provide us a constitutional vehicle to say that.

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syed

Feb 01, 2014 03:28pm

there is nothing constructive about talking with terrorists, have you guys lost your IQ or what?

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