Taliban nominate Imran, Sami among others to mediate peace talks
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PESHAWAR: The Pakistani Taliban have nominated the names of five political and religious leaders to mediate peace talks with government negotiators, their spokesman said on Saturday.
The names include Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan, Maulana Samiul Haq, former chief cleric of the Lal Masjid in Islamabad Maulana Abdul Aziz, Professor Mohammad Ibrahim of the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), and Mufti Kifayatullah, a former lawmaker of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (JUI-F) from Mansehra said to have close ties with the Taliban.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said his government had decided to pursue peace talks with Taliban militants to end years of violence despite a recent spate of attacks.
The premier named a four-member committee comprising his Advisor on National Affairs Irfan Siddique, veteran journalist Rahimullah Yusufzai, former ambassador and expert on Afghanistan affairs Rustam Shah Mohmand and former ISI official Major (Retd) Amir Shah to facilitate the dialogue.
Speaking to Dawn.com on Saturday, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said the five “mediators” would facilitate peace talks between the government team and the TTP.
The banned militant group announced the names after a meeting of its central shura (council) which was held at an undisclosed location.
“The Taliban are entering talks with clear intentions and an open heart,” said Shahid.
“Our emir Mullah Fazlullah supports the five-member committee we have nominated.
"Our shura will communicate its stance to the five nominees who will mediate talks with the government team,” he said.
Speaking to DawnNews, Professor Mohammad Ibrahim confirmed that he had been contacted by the TTP to “act as a solicitor” on their behalf.
“It does not matter what side we represent. We will try to fulfill our responsibility to bring peace in the country...and hope that we will be able to achieve lasting peace,” he said.
Maulana Abdul Aziz also confirmed that he had been contacted by the TTP, though he said he would decline to be a part of the process if he feels the government was not serious in negotiations or in implementing Shariah law in the country.
Meanwhile, PTI chief Imran Khan sent a message from his official Twitter account that the "TTP should select their own Taliban representatives 4 (for) peace talks".
However, Khan said the party would discuss how it could assist in the dialogue process at a meeting of its core committee scheduled for Monday.
TTP should select their own Taliban representatives 4 peace talks. We have full faith in the 4 member committee announced by the govt. 1/2
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 1, 20142/2 However we will discuss how PTI can be of further assistance to further the dialogue in our Core Committee meeting on Monday.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) February 1, 2014Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (41) Closed
Feb 01, 2014 10:59pm
What are they going to negotiate about? These Talibans were not even in existence before the "war on terror" - are probably all non-Pakistanis, are merciless and come with a mind-set of bringing Sharia (their sick interpretation) into our day to day lives. I can't even see us accepting 10% of their demands - without compromising on our freedom and drawing ourselves back to the stone-ages. So, what is there to negotiate? I am totally surprised and disgusted that an educated man like Imram Khan would agree to that! Before the elections, this is the same man who wanted Pakistan to regain it's identity and become independent of any foreign influence. He said he was going to fight to bring Pakistan out of American dependence - and now, he is willing to "negotiate" with a group that is millions times worse than the Americans and come up with a settlement? You don't negotiate with evil - you get rid of it!
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Feb 01, 2014 11:14pm
Have TTP exposed our leaders? OR is it a joke?
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Feb 01, 2014 11:14pm
They sent in the opposition to negotiate with the government? Clever.
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Feb 01, 2014 11:20pm
What a shame.. A band of thugs have take a country of 20 crore hostage. What part of "do not ever negotiate with terrorists" is so difficult to understand? The first and only cardinal rule is never to negotiate. What good is the worlds 5th largest armed forces good for I ask? And what are you going to negotiate when they have said that all they want is to enforce Sharia. That means they want to take Pakistan back 1400 years. The world moves on and here we are being bullied by a handful of nut jobs. Im speechless.
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Feb 01, 2014 11:29pm
What are we waiting for?. All these men should be arrested for being friends of the terrorists and tried for helping the terrorists.
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Feb 01, 2014 11:42pm
It does not make any sense to even begin peace talks when they have clearly stated that Sharia law throughout Pakistan is a must. Now we all know where Imran Khan stands.
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Feb 01, 2014 11:43pm
The talks will get us nowhere. Even if Sharia is imposed in Pakistan, it will open a Pandora's box. Every sect from both major sects will try to interpret Sharia according to their own interpretation and biases. Baically, Sharia law will be used to settle scores and as a form of vendetta.
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Feb 01, 2014 11:43pm
Does it come as a surprise to any body that TTP want imu to be included in the govt's negotiating team-proof if proof was ever needed for the world to see that imu is with the terrorists!
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Feb 01, 2014 11:49pm
TTP took the right step in nominating Imran ... real face of PTI exposed..... Will still need to wait to find why Hamid Gul was not nominated ...
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Feb 02, 2014 12:15am
Imran Khan ??? Good reply by him though
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Feb 02, 2014 12:47am
Why peace talk with killers of 45000 plus pakistanis?
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Feb 02, 2014 12:59am
What a Joke, I mean we have to send negotiators which are acceptable to TTP, What's the point of negotiations then, it is obvious that people who are TTP apologist would go and accept all their non-sense. We should send someone who we think can represent us as a Nation same as TTP is allowed to send someone who they think can represent their demand in logical way. Pakistan government is a Joke, for me non of the negotiators from Pakistani side should belong to the sect same as TTP otherwise these negotiations are biggest bigotry with Pakistan and the nation.
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Feb 02, 2014 01:29am
The nomination of people from JI, JUI and Lal Masjid should not come as a surprise as everyone have long known where they stand. Congratulations to Imran Khan. He is finally recognized by Taliban as one of their own.
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Feb 02, 2014 01:33am
Imran Khan checkmated by taliban. Now either you are with them or against them. If you are against them then be prepared to face the music by them as the whole nation is facing and if you are with them, then everybody knows whose side you are playing from. All in all, I think a good move by taliban to expose the faces of friends and foes.
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Feb 02, 2014 01:51am
TTP's demand to implement Sharia Law is illegal without the public mandate through the ballot box!
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Feb 02, 2014 03:06am
1. List item
Shows the importance and sincererity of imran khan in peace process.
Trust me he is honest leader and after 100 fight with Taliban we still say ohhh lets do dialogue. So it's better to do it now
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Feb 02, 2014 03:25am
Seriously someone really wants to hold a dialogue and that too regarding peace with the nice looking people shown in the picture. ating a glance on these faeces is enough to conclude what sort of meaning they would give to the word peace.
But there is one very good news We now know for sure taleban have formed their own government at least in khyber pakhtunkhwa in the form of imran khan. it really is a very sad news.
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Feb 02, 2014 03:38am
While negotiating each side has the right to ask the other, "What do you want?" I am at a loss to figure out the Taliban response. i guess it will be the total control of our lives. All we have to do is that all of us start living like them. Right?
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Feb 02, 2014 04:44am
Congratulations to Imran Khan and others on their prestigious nomination. Now these gentleman have become Taliban officially. Imran Khan should growing beard to look like others.
There is not much difference between this committee and pro-Taliban committee announced by government. Both committees can decide within one day terms of surrender.
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Feb 02, 2014 04:54am
No surprise the TTP want JI and PTI to represent them.
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Feb 02, 2014 07:03am
You've truly got it made when Taliban nominates you for anything.
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Feb 02, 2014 07:21am
It seems for security reasons TTP avoiding to come forward but they should take chances for this alarming issue.
Imran khan and PTI may face political problems if he says yes since many critics call him pro taliban. He better stay away from this list.
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Feb 02, 2014 07:58am
What a left handed compliment to Maulana Samiul and Imran Khan from the Taliban!!!
Imran to represent Taliban? How embarrassing!
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Feb 02, 2014 08:14am
Here we go. We can say Taliban are political mature than Nawaz. also they put their supporters (PTI, JI and Sami Ul Haq) to real test. I surprised to see Taliban did not nominate Nawaz Sharif,.
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Feb 02, 2014 08:19am
Superb...if true ,means , taliban want to have peaceful & positive dialogue.sure the members of the committe nominated by them do believe in integrity of Pakistan,her constitution and statehood.
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Feb 02, 2014 08:50am
Just Brilliant , Imran Khan a representive for taliban , so what soes it make his supporters..
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Feb 02, 2014 11:10am
Taliban just fired a scud missile on Imran Khan's credibility and political future. Poor guy bet he had never dreamt that he'd be asked to talk for TTP & not with TTP.
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Feb 02, 2014 08:58pm
If there was any doubt, nation should know by now who are Talibans and their representatives and spokespersons. Some have been doing the actual bombing and killing, others have been supporting them from the political arena. In return, the latter have been given election victory.
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Feb 02, 2014 11:17pm
I can only hope the talks are successful in bringing peace to our beautiful country. Even low-budget/ low-tech insurgencies can not be stamped out by overwhelming force, we only need to look at neighboring Afghanistan to learn this.
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Feb 03, 2014 01:22am
Imran Khan is a great leader Pakistan has ever produced, after all Talibans are also Pakistanis and if they trust Imran Khan as majority of Pakistanis do then its a good omen for Peace and Pakistan. Its useless to trust a goverment which cannot servive without dollars.
I personally think Imran should not involve himself in this peace talks drama, order of operation has allready be given to Nawaz Sharif during Washington Yatra.
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Feb 03, 2014 01:35am
Imran is the hope of millions he should stay away from these fake peace talks initiated by Governmnet.
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Feb 03, 2014 04:39am
I am surprised how come Nawaz Sharif didn't make it as a nominee for the TTP.
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Feb 03, 2014 07:42am
No doubt Talbans are politically more mature than our lousy politicians.
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Feb 03, 2014 10:59am
That is a a very smart political move by TTP. Makes me think that there is some very brilliant minds behind this, certainly TTP alone is not capable of thinking like that. This is the direct attack on the credibility of Great Khan and they have accomplished it by having people of Pak thinking against Khan. However, if the talks are successful then this will increase the credibility of Khan Sahib and he can convert this into his political victory. At this point backing off is not the right move. Go for it and risk it all, Inshallah Allah will help Khan. We will pray for the success of peace talks and Khan Sahib. If the peace talks are successful then it will be good for Pak and in the end it's all about Pak.
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Feb 03, 2014 11:56am
The Taliban's choice of members is a glaring proof of their political acumen. Not only are they extraordinary strategists on the battlefield having humbled our army and the security forces on innumerable occasions, they have proven they extremely capable of playing their cards well on the political stage as well.
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Feb 03, 2014 12:13pm
@Tariq, Lahore:
Why you need vote from public for introducing sharia, vast majority are muslims, all naturally shall support the move.
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Feb 03, 2014 01:43pm
This is just remarkable decision by govt to negotiate with TTP. But the worry is whether, TTP and govt will end this dialogue with fruit full result or not.. The answer still hovering in our minds,because the basic Mantra of Taliban is the Imposition of (SHARIA) in Pakistan..I bet govt is not in the position to accept it. But I Pray to ALLAH (s) to End this with positive result,that it must be in the mutual interest of the both Parties i.e TTP and the Govt.
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Feb 03, 2014 05:07pm
Poor Imran -- this is what he will get for his naivety and immaturity -- nomination for representing the country's foremost Mass Murderers Inc.
Serves him right for advocating an 'OFFICE' for the suicide bombers. Represent them -- he deserve them -- why shy away?
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Feb 04, 2014 05:39am
@Ali Zaheer:
Wake up Zaheer sahib! Imran is HOPELESS,not hope of the millions.
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Feb 04, 2014 12:23pm
@Ali Zaheer:
And those millions are hoping and in favor of the same peace talks whom Khan saab is very fond of. So please let him do what he wants the most. Unfortunately he heard your voice and excluded himself from his beloved "peace process".
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Feb 04, 2014 12:37pm
The biggest problem of Khan Saab is that he got many plans based on his superstitious fantasies but when it comes to implementation the performance is zero. 90 days corruption out !! wow, we are observing the rivers of Milk flowing in KPK after PTI government. Similarly, Talks with Taliban for peace !! Now he pulled himself back from the whole process when he got the chance to fulfill his another wish. God knows why these politicians can't stop themselves making other fools with their sweet words.
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