Aziz likely to continue in negotiating role: Yousuf Shah

Published February 8, 2014
Ibrahim Khan, Maulana Yousuf Shah and Maulana Abdul Aziz attend a joint news conference after their talks with government representatives in Islamabad, Feb 6, 2014. — Photo by AP
Ibrahim Khan, Maulana Yousuf Shah and Maulana Abdul Aziz attend a joint news conference after their talks with government representatives in Islamabad, Feb 6, 2014. — Photo by AP

ISLAMABAD: Maulana Yousuf Shah, who acts as contact person for the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), on Saturday told DawnNews that chief negotiator for the outlawed group, Maulana Samiul Haq, had contacted Maulana Abdul Aziz following his announcement to withdraw from the committee, adding that it was likely that the chief cleric of Lal Masjid would continue the work with the TTP committee.

Earlier on Friday, Maulana Aziz had declared at a press conference that he would no longer take part in negotiations between the two sides until the condition of imposing Islamic laws was made part of the dialogue.

His announcement virtually dashed hopes, if there were any, of a successful peace process after the two committees met on Thursday and sounded upbeat about a positive outcome, a security analyst told Dawn.

Also today, Shah said the situation in relation to a meeting of the TTP negotiators with the leadership of the banned outfit would become clearer in two days' time.

He said no time or venue had yet been decided for a meeting with the leadership of the Pakistani Taliban, adding that the committee could also seek assistance from the federal government in arranging for it.

Shah said after having met with the TTP leadership, the negotiators would put forth their point of view before government negotiators.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.