Let Army decide course of peace talks with TTP: Maj Amir

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Let Army decide course of peace talks with TTP: Maj Amir

Dawn.com Published March 21, 2014

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ISLAMABAD: One of the members of the government’s first committee formed to negotiate peace with the Pakistani Taliban, Major (retd) Amir on Friday said that armed forces are the real stakeholders on the matter and their leadership should decide the future course of the dialogue for achieving better results.

Speaking during an interview with BBC Urdu, he said that the army should be on the driving seat in the peace process because they are not only “affected but also capable.”

Amir said that after the formation of new government committee, the previous one has been dissolved as it was an uphill task to keep it going due to continuous attention of the media on its members.

The retired major, who played a vital role in the initial dialogue process with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has often remained a fair distance with the media. He was reportedly involved in secret negotiations with former TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud as well hence became a close aide to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

“No matter what you call it……I’ve informed the prime minister that the real say in the matter is that of the armed forces.”

The new government negotiators have rightly decided to stay away from the media, said the retired major who appeared displeased with Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s severe criticism aimed at the first government committee.

When asked why the ongoing peace efforts are any different from the previous attempts by the state, he replied, “Previously pacts were made with individuals whereas this time around the agreement will be reached with an outfit.”

“Secondly, the ceasefire announcement is unprecedented…. That’s why I consider the current process as superior,” he added.

Speaking about opponents of the peace process, Major Amir said on one hand there are militant outfits like Ahrarul Hind and Ansarul Hind and on the other members of the Parliamentary committee were against the talks except Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

Despite Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s statement regarding Taliban’s demand of releasing non-combatants being rejected by the government, Amir claimed that the government was looking into the demand sincerely.

Major (retd) Amir added that the government has also demanded the release of Dr Ajmal Gilani and Shahbaz Taseer.

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Ganga Din

Mar 21, 2014 08:05pm

This is how negotiations fail when you start giving priorities to the release of insignificant people like Shabaz Tasir without knowing where he is. Working for the greater good of the country should be the priority and not the release Shahbaz Tasir etc. You should drop this demand unless you know for sure who is holding him but still this demand should not be the front runner.

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Ganga Din

Mar 21, 2014 08:06pm

What will army do? Do you really want a civil war?

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Ganga Din

Mar 21, 2014 08:09pm

Same old mentality being demonstrated by this retd. major. Dunda and force will not work. We need some mature pragmatic diplomats to negotiate this process. Learn a lesson from your previous mistakes.

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mirza

Mar 21, 2014 09:00pm

I am getting tired of all this Pakistan issues no good news talibans, bombs, killing, corruption and top of all Mullahs to destroy what ever is left

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M. Siddique

Mar 21, 2014 09:21pm

Major Amir needs to know that in a democracy government decides who will lead the negotiations. I understand the general mindset has not yet changed that army should do everything even if it is not their business. It is time for army to step back along with Major Amir. Let those people whom people of Pakistan have elected take the lead. When talks fail then government will tell the army to go after the TTP criminals.

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NASAH (USA)

Mar 21, 2014 09:21pm

@Ganga Din: You are right. For a 'mature' Taliban -- not an immature army -- but a mature politician! Now who could be more mature than Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan sahib.

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Seedo

Mar 21, 2014 09:28pm

This retired Major's mentality is emblematic of the way military thinks and operates. They think they are the real bosses and are more capable than the civilian administration. The terrorism and suicide bombings are all military's gift to Pakistan which are the results of their repeatedly failed policies to build "strategic depth". Instead, we have a giant sink hole that is enveloping the entire nation. It is time, military start taking orders from the civilian government (no matter how corrupt) as it is done in all civilized countries in the world.

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Khangul

Mar 21, 2014 09:47pm

You mean the army should sit on the same table as equals to the killers of the innocent men, women, and children of this country? Please leave army out of this illegal "muzakiraat".

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lucky

Mar 21, 2014 09:49pm

@Ganga Din TTP should lay down their arms. TTP is jamat of misguided and misinformed killers. My comments are not going to be published anyway because Dawn is promoting TTP's agenda.

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Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali

Mar 21, 2014 10:02pm

Major Amir should know that nobody knows who he is and secondly it requires more being a major to give advice it such a critical affair. One will need skill and superior education. BBC is doing a dis service.

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malick

Mar 21, 2014 10:27pm

Gangadingee every one life is equall and important. If u do not know about Taseer and jilani, who hold them, please do not comment. These two are under TTP custudy. Gangadingee act like human and be little kind hearted. Think if you or any member of your family is in that position, u will expect the same. I do not see you kind like ganga and jamna, keep yourself within the human society.

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Agha Ata

Mar 21, 2014 11:40pm

The best would be to tell nothing to the nation anymore! It frustrates the nation more than it infuriates. This triangle of TTP, the army and the government is more mystifying than the Bermuda Triangle. The nation has no idea who among you is wanting what? An elected government, with all the powers, claiming to be having full cooperation from an army known to be as strong as any in the world, cannot make a bunch of terrorists, who have killed thousand of innocents, to behave themselves and who are talking to them in the tone of a mighty superiors. It is a shame for a nation for such a thing happening in the country. Nation is in heavily in debt to keep these two giants alive who can do nothing to stop these terrorists.

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bkh

Mar 21, 2014 11:43pm

It is not right that army should get involved in political dialogue with the terrorists. Army should wait for instructions from the government. When ordered it should fight the militants hard and fast with no mercy.

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EQ8Rhomes

Mar 22, 2014 12:27am

Major Amir: Quit being silly! All militaries are authoritarian in concept and structure. They work on a win - lose paradigm. They are not democratic and they do not compromise. They hit harder or surrender or fake action. Democracy is the system which seeks compromises. Use it. Pakistan has been ruled by the military for the most part until the last 1st full term elected government and look at the military govt solutions. BUT, first, you have to neutralize armed rebels who are military joints. Ask Major Amir to carry that out! The army has its role, but not in governing a country -- just protecting the nation by fighting or dealing with disasters and keeping peace by force -- Not governing. That's civilian work. Then TALK to civilians and compromise for the best solutions for Pakistan -- not tribes or religious bigots.

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NASAH (USA)

Mar 22, 2014 12:27am

Absolutely NOT.

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Sheikh

Mar 22, 2014 01:13am

Disagree... Army is a tool... not the carpenter. Peoples' elected representatives from all parts of the country, especially the affected parts should decide the flow of the negotiations. Also, army is not a "stake holder". People are the stake holders, army is their servant.

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unbelievable

Mar 22, 2014 01:39am

The military has negotiated three peace treaties in the past - in each case it was a disaster. Time for the elected govt to take charge of treaty/peace negotiations - just like in every other real Democracy.

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Mustafa

Mar 22, 2014 02:01am

All those who have criticized Major Amir should know that Army is the back bone of Pakistan or any country. Without strong Army a country is just a piece of land and the rulers and politicians are helpless humans with powerful brains and loud voice but paralyzed with no strength even to lift their hands much less to save themselves or the country from attackers. It is the Army who sheds their blood to save a country and its people, not the politicians. Therefore the Army must have the greatest say in negotiations with enemies of Pakistan.

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zarar

Mar 22, 2014 02:03am

@Ganga Din: means what, to negotiate on what terms, Just beg for Peace from them that please spare us.....Go please ask those people who had lost their loved ones just beacuse of these people acts..... These comments holds for a true PAKISTANI.....

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David Salmon

Mar 22, 2014 02:06am

Democracy requires that political decisions be made by elected political leaders. No one else holds the authority and powers of the people. Military officers should give their best advice to the elected leaders, and carry out all lawful directions, but they should never be put in a position of deciding political questions. The Army can properly advise the Prime Minister, and a wise Prime Minister would consider their advice carefully. But the final decision, always, must be made by the elected representative of the people. An action by the Army without the order of the Prime Minister and parliament would lack legitimacy. Do they not teach the rudiments of democracy at PMA Kakul? Forgive my rudeness, but one would think a major would know better. imho

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Cool Henry

Mar 22, 2014 02:27am

@Sheikh: love your comment - army is not a "stake holder". People are the stake holders, army is their servant. The Hon. Major has lot to learn, I guess.

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Rahmat

Mar 22, 2014 02:50am

Please put your pride aside and think rationally. Pakistan's army is its major liability when it comes to ensuring peace. Army belongs in barracks till peace on all fronts is secured, and terrorism defeated.

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Ghani K

Mar 22, 2014 04:19am

No one, including Nawaz Sharif has clearly spelled out the agenda of talibans. We know already they want to impose their version of Sharia. Other than that, what else do they want ? How can anyone negotiate with them outside 1973 constitution ?

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Khan

Mar 22, 2014 06:33am

If army needs to decide than what is the purpose of Government? If Govt is not the real stakeholders then are they interested in the welfare of Pakistan? It's serious if government cannot decide what is good or bad for country then the Govt is incompetent and hence not capable to run a country.

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raz

Mar 22, 2014 07:22am

load of rubbish. Army has nothing to do with the talks. We are here because of this armys actions. Let the civilian government take decisions..

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NASAH (USA)

Mar 22, 2014 08:25am

@Ganga Din: "Dunda and force will not work." Dunda and force ARE 'working' for the Taliban -- why they won't work for the army? "this demand should not be the front runner." Why not? Strange!!

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jan

Mar 22, 2014 10:21am

My humble request to the govt is that please keep maulana fazlo away from the process of negotiations or any other such process.and at the same time advise him not to create doubts about the success of the whole process. problem is that if he is involved in such a process then according to him that is right and justified but if he is not then it is not. His problem is that he is losing his credibility in the FATA regions proved by the election results, none of his candidates is elected form there thats why he wants a role to regain his credibility but i am sure that the govt has realised and he is very rightly abondoned. Good luck Mr.Prime minister and Interior minister Ch;Nisar Ali khan

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Adil Farooq

Mar 23, 2014 07:38pm

Irresponsible comment! A better idea would be that the Govt committee can have a representative from the armed forces. i.e a serving Brigadier.

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