Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan on Friday said the All Parties Conference (APC) called by the Awami National Party to discuss terrorism has no significance.
Speaking to a private TV channel, the TTP spokesman said, “This ANP-sponsored offer of talks is just the party’s election agenda.” He said there was no roadmap for peace talks in the joint statement issued after the conference. “We are still waiting for a serious response from the Pakistani government and army,” Ehsan said.
“The non-participation of the Jamaat-e-Islami in the APC is also a clear indication that it was a failure,” he added.
He added that the TTP offer to hold talks with the government was still valid. He, however, said recent statements by Interior Minister Rehman Malik could prove to be harmful in this regard.
When asked about attacks still being launched by the TTP, Ehsan replied there had been no agreement on a ceasefire yet, adding that operations were also being conducted by the government.
On Thursday, the APC, attended by 24 political parties, said first priority should be given to peace talks with the Taliban. A joint statement read militancy was an issue for the entire country not for just one party.
The statement stressed that the elimination of terrorism was essential to ensure prosperity in Pakistan. Furthermore, the issue of terrorism should be resolved according to the law and constitution of Pakistan.