PESHAWAR, Sept 29: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has said that there is no harm in convening another All Parties Conference to discuss strategy for controlling the fresh wave of violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa particularly in Peshawar where over 144 people have been killed in one week.

“If APC is convened for discussing deteriorating security situation then there is no harm,” he said while talking to journalists at JUI central secretariat here on Sunday. The APC, he said, did not mean that government should seek permission whether to hold peace talks with Taliban or start military operation.

When asked about Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif statement in New York in which he said that Taliban would have to accept constitution and lay down weapons before starting negotiations, Mr Rehman said that tribal customs and traditions could not be ignored in the overall situation.

He said that without involving tribal elders in the whole process required results could not be achieved. The elders, he said, understood mechanism for maintaining ceasefire between rival parties and could create atmosphere for holding meaningful dialogue. Without engaging tribal elders the government could not achieve the required results, he added.

About the current wave of explosions including bombing of church and killing of senior military officers in Upper Dir, Mr Rehman blamed government for the current situation, saying government should not ignore Taliban’s offer for talks.

“Unfortunately government did not give positive reply to the Taliban’s statement,” he said. He added that enemies of peace were taking advantage of the uncertainty.

The JUI chief said that confidence building measures were being taken and several kidnapped employees were released to pave way for peace talks with Taliban, but all of a sudden streak of explosions started. He said that release of Taliban leader Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar had nothing to do with proposed talks with the local Taliban.

Meanwhile, Mr Rehman in a statement strongly condemned car bombing in Qissa Khwani Bazaar that killed 43 people and wounded 101 others. He said that innocent people were targeted in those attacks.

“If we don’t show seriousness then situation can go out of control,” he said. The JUI chief expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and urged government to ensure quality treatment of the wounded persons.