Pakistani Taliban say ‘no contact’ yet over peace talks

Published November 1, 2013
In this Oct 5, 2013 photo, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid (centre) speaks in an interview at an undisclosed location in Pakistan's tribal areas.—AP Photo
In this Oct 5, 2013 photo, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid (centre) speaks in an interview at an undisclosed location in Pakistan's tribal areas.—AP Photo
In this Oct 5, 2013 photo, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid speaks in an interview at an undisclosed location in Pakistan's tribal areas.—AP Photo
In this Oct 5, 2013 photo, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid speaks in an interview at an undisclosed location in Pakistan's tribal areas.—AP Photo
In this Oct 5, 2013 photo, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid, right, arrives for an interview at an undisclosed location in Pakistan's tribal areas.—AP Photo
In this Oct 5, 2013 photo, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid, right, arrives for an interview at an undisclosed location in Pakistan's tribal areas.—AP Photo

MIRAMSHAH: The Pakistani Taliban said Friday they have had “no contact” with the government, a day after officials said a process to initiate peace talks had been started.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Thursday that the “process of dialogue” had started, and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said “structured, formal” talks with Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants would soon be initiated.

Shahidullah Shahid, the main spokesman for the TTP told news agency AFP on Friday that there had been no overtures.

“No one has yet contacted us. The government is making announcements only by media, no peace talks have yet been started,” Shahid said. “The beginning of peace talks means sitting at a table and discussing issues, no such thing has yet happened.”

The TTP have waged a bloody six-year war against the Pakistani state, which has left thousands dead. The government of Prime Minister Sharif has been edging towards peace talks to end the bloodshed.

Last month Sharif won the backing of the main political parties to go ahead with peace dialogue with the TTP, and the powerful army chief has voiced his support.

After the political parties gave their backing to talks, the TTP issued a list of preconditions including the release of all its members held in Pakistani jails and the withdrawal of troops from the tribal areas along the Afghan border, where the militants have hideouts.

Shahid on Friday reiterated these demands and said the government must fulfill them to prove they are serious about talks.

Opinion

Editorial

Dangerous times
Updated 14 Feb, 2025

Dangerous times

Pakistan accounted for six journalist killings in 2024, of which three were deliberately murdered, according to the CPJ.
Difficult target
14 Feb, 2025

Difficult target

A ONE-two punch delivered by an unforeseen, sharp dip in inflation and an extremely slim base of taxpayers is...
Amazing show
14 Feb, 2025

Amazing show

PAKISTAN’S ability to turn it up at the flick of a switch remains uninhibited. The latest show came in...
Trump’s folly
Updated 13 Feb, 2025

Trump’s folly

This latest pronouncement only reinforces the fears of those who see the plan as a blueprint for ethnic cleansing.
Corruption ranking
13 Feb, 2025

Corruption ranking

IT comes as little surprise. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2024, unveiled on...
Support from remittances
13 Feb, 2025

Support from remittances

EVEN though workers’ remittances dipped, albeit negligibly, in January on a month-over-month basis, the earnings...