Govt, TTP should focus on talks and not ceasefire, says Sami

E-Paper | March 17, 2026

NOWSHERA: Member of the Taliban nominated negotiating committee, Maulana Samiul Haq, said on Sunday that the government and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) should focus on the peace talks rather than a ceasefire, DawnNews reported.

Addressing a conference in Akhora Khattak, the chief Taliban mediator said that those talking about military action were "enemies of Pakistan" and war benefited no one. He added that the rest of the world wanted war instead of peace in Pakistan and both sides would have to show patience.

He further said that the media and anchorpersons were advocating war while scholars were backing peace talks.

Haq expressed his regrets over what he said were artificial barriers created every time there was progress in the negotiations.

Maulana Sami further said that both the parties would be held responsible in case there was an escalation in hostilities.

The senior religious scholar who is also known as the 'Father of the Taliban said that the country would have to unite as one in order to douse the fire lit in it by foreigners.

He further said that hope was not lost and the peace talks between the government and Taliban committees would resume soon.

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M. Siddique

Apr 27, 2014 06:40pm

Since when this Mullah Sami has become a statesman. He needs to understand that terrorists cannot kill Pakistani citizens with impunity. On the other hand Pak Army should start pounding the terrorists where it hurts. Hit them where their leadership is and make sure the ones who leads them are eliminated.

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Masoud

Apr 27, 2014 06:43pm

WOW! what a suggestion by Maulana Samiul Haq. If he is qualified enough to know that all peace talks, internationally, first starts with ceasefire & then negotiations are held.

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Mathew

Apr 27, 2014 06:59pm

Peace,not war.

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Zak

Apr 27, 2014 07:21pm

A bit hard to talk when you are being shot at.

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Abubakar

Apr 27, 2014 08:11pm

Ceasefire is a necessity to move on! and to ensure that the peacetalks continue. If there's no ceasefire, I am quite sure that there will be a bloodshed from both sides. I dont want anybody to die! Taliban must cease the fire!

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Shahpur

Apr 27, 2014 08:26pm

Armed forces of Pakistan should take care of these Fathers of Talibans first. They are the real cause of the problem. Close down their training schools (Madrassahs), which they operate under the name of Islam.

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Apr 27, 2014 08:53pm

Sami sahib is ok with both parties killing each other. The low level TTP people are getting killed on one hand and the innocent people are getting killed on the other side. A cease fire is must on both sides.

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Mirza

Apr 27, 2014 09:36pm

In any civilized law-abiding country this man would have been in jail for supporting terrorists.

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Fiz

Apr 27, 2014 09:59pm

I think they should focus on leaving the land of pure.

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Last Word

Apr 27, 2014 10:00pm

What Sami is trying to convey is 'Continue the talks, don't bother about the drops'.

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Mustafa

Apr 27, 2014 10:04pm

@Mathew Peace with militants, terrorists, killers of innocent men, women, children and soldiers? Peace with those who roam wearing Niqaab to hide their identity and have guns and amunitions in their necks and shoulders like underground worriers? You must be kidding.

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Mustafa

Apr 27, 2014 10:14pm

The news that Maulana Samiul Haq, said on Sunday that the government and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) should focus on the peace talks rather than a ceasefire, shows true color of the Taliban Maulana who does not want ceasefire during peace talks and prefers killing of innocent men, women and children to continue.

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Imran

Apr 27, 2014 10:26pm

What we are talking about here is the appeasement of murderous criminals, not peace. Must we keep feeding more innocents to the crocodile hoping we will be the last to be eaten or is it better to lose a few limbs and lives now trying to kill this crocodile while saving lives and our freedom in the longer term?

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muzammil ullah khan

Apr 27, 2014 11:30pm

This is priceless ! Only a Mullah can say that ! What it really means is that the TTP will continue with their nefarious activities in the shadow of talks . They keep gaining both on ground and in propaganda war while our silly Govt loses on all counts ! What does the PM actually want is anybody's guess . I only hope he is not going to play the TTP and the mullahs in point scoring against the Armed Forces . It would amount to cutting your nose to spite your face !!

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independentthinker

Apr 28, 2014 12:00am

How long have they been talking and what have they achieved? Their interpretation of the Sharia law will not be acceptable to most Pakistanis. Pakistan has survived and prospered without the Sharia laws prior to Zia coming to power. It is only after these religious fanatics have come into the picture, that our country has started to slide. We can't afford to listen to any of their demands - Ceasefire is also not an option - so I guess, we have to eliminate Talibans to put our country back on the road to prosperity.

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Mustafa

Apr 28, 2014 06:07am

@independentthinker : You said " Their interpretation of the Sharia law will not be acceptable to most Pakistanis. "Probably You have no idea what is true Sharia law of Islam and what is false Sharia law of Taliban. They kill innocent men, women and children in streets, market places, schools, hospitals and even in mosques and cemeteries. They kill themselves as suicide bombers. Their conduct is strictly forbidden in Sharia of Allah. They are not only enemies of Muslims but also enemies of humanity as well. I wish Pakistani politicians should fear Allah and not the militants and terrorists. They should take firm action to clean Pakistan from the lawless and inhuman enemies of Pakistan within Pakistan.

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A.R. K.

Apr 28, 2014 07:36am

I am surprised that they are making comment without reading the article . Mullah Sami wants peace to save innocents lives and stop using bombs and bullets . I wander these war mongrel are the true patriate ., are enemy of Pakistan .,or the agent of enemy of Pakistan.

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Zia

Apr 28, 2014 08:28am

May Allah save Pakistan from those in the garb implementing their form of Sharia and rid Pakistan of them

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ssf

Apr 28, 2014 08:31am

Would any one in sound mind suggest that the criminals should keep killing innocent citizens while they are talking to achieve peace.

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independentthinker

Apr 28, 2014 07:12pm

@Mustafa I do know what "Sharia Law" is - notice I said their "interpretation" - which is totally based on their selfish motives. Please read my comment once again!

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