TTP talking peace with government

Confirming that talks between the government and militants in Bajaur Agency were underway, deputy leader of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Maulvi Faqir Muhammad on Saturday said both sides were close to an agreement that could be inked shortly.
“Our talks with the government are in progress and the process is going ahead smoothly,” Faqir said in a telephonic conversation with reporters in Bajaur. He said upon a successful completion of dialogue, “We will be willing to sign an agreement, which can be extended to rest of the tribal belt after its implementation in Bajaur”. “If negotiations succeed and we are able to sign a peace agreement in Bajaur, then the government and the Taliban of other areas such as Swat, Mohmand, Orakzai and South Waziristan tribal region will sign an agreement. Bajaur will be a role model for other areas.” Faqir said the government had realised that there was no military solution to the conflict. “We have no wish to fight against our own armed forces and destroy our own country,” he said. “There has been development in our peace talks, but the government would have to show more flexibility in its stance, and restore the trust of the Taliban by releasing prisoners and stopping the military operation against them.” Faqir refused to disclose the terms and conditions for the agreement, but he expressed satisfaction over the recent shift in government’s policies towards the US.
He praised the government for banning supplies to US-led troops in Afghanistan and said the TTP was in favour of Pak-Afghan alliance against the US in the region. “Pakistan and Afghanistan should unite against foreign occupation [of Afghanistan] by non-Muslims,” he said. Mohammad said Pakistan had released 145 members of the group as a gesture of goodwill and the militants had pledged a cease-fire. A couple of months ago, intelligence agencies had charged Faqir of entering into an understanding with Afghan authorities, particularly with those running affairs of Kunar province. “Maulvi Faqir Muhammad, after chairing a meeting of militant commanders in Kunar on June 9, remained a guest of Governor Fazal Ullah,” reports had said. Despite his active role as the TTP deputy leader, Faqir played a key role in managing an agreement between the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and Taliban on May 21, 2008. Similarly, he helped Taliban to slip from Swat to adjacent Buner and Dir regions in early 2009. However, he mysteriously disappeared when the armed forces launched a military offensive in Swat in May 2009. In October 2010, Faqir was removed as the TTP Bajaur leader and Maulvi Dadullah was appointed the new chief. Locals said Faqir and his close aides had recently returned to Bajaur Agency, however, the local administration rejected the claims of Faqir being in the agency.