MIRAMSHAH: The central Shura of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has proposed a five-member team, comprising among others Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chairman Imran Khan and Maulana Samiul Haq, head of Darul Uloom Haqqania in Akora Khattak, for holding talks with the government.

Other members of the TTP’s committee are Maulana Abdul Aziz, chief Khateeb of Red Mosque in Islamabad; Prof Mohammad Ibrahim, chief of the Jamaat-i-Islami in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; and Mufti Kifayatullah, a former MPA of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl.

TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid told Dawn by phone on Saturday that the Shura had had a detailed discussion on talks with the government.

“We have approached all five members and, after getting consent, their names were included in the committee,” he said.

He said TTP deputy chief Sheikh Khalid Haqqani had presided over the Shura meeting held at an undisclosed place.

The five members would represent the TTP in talks with the government’s committee, he said.

Shahid said the TTP Shura had no reservation over any member of the four-man committee constituted by the government.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had appointed his adviser Irfan Siddiqui, former chief secretary Rustam Shah Mohmand, senior journalist Rahimullah Yousufzai and retired Maj Mohammad Amir, a former Inter-Services Intelligence officer, on Wednesday for talks with the Taliban.

Ammar Shafiq, grandson of Maulana Sami who introduced himself as a spokesman for him, said the cleric had accepted the Taliban’s request to represent them at the talks.

“Taliban were already in contact with Maulana Sahab and he accepted the TTP’s request today.”

Prof Ibrahim said: “The TTP Shura contacted me and I accepted their request.” He said he would participate in the talks for the sake of peace.

“I am not representing the Taliban, but for the sake of peace I accepted their offer.”

Khawar Ghumman adds from Islamabad: Talking to Dawn, Maulana Aziz said the process of negotiations wasn’t only a part of religious traditions but also the need of the hour to bring peace to the country.

He said he would extend all possible help but on certain conditions, including willingness of the government to implement Islamic laws.

“We will go and meet the government team and try to extend all possible help to move ahead, but only if the government is serious. If there is any doubt that the government is not serious about enforcement of Sharia in the country, then I will not be part of any such process.”

Staff Correspondent Zulfiqar Ali contributed to this report from Peshawar