TTP responds positively to Nawaz’s call for talks

Nawaz Sharif’s call to the Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) for peace talks drew a positive response from the banned outfit on Thursday with the TTP saying that its leadership was devising a strategy for negotiations with the upcoming government of Pakistan.

Talking to a private news channel, TTP spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan said that the offer for peace talks made by Nawaz Sharif, who is likely to take the office of prime minister for the third time, was a positive sign, adding that the militant organisation was devising a strategy over the course of action to be taken in response to the peace talk offer.

Moreover, Ehsan also claimed that the banned oganisation was responsible for the bomb attack in Quetta on Thursday and said that the attack was carried out in retaliation to the killing of their activists in Balochistan from the Malakand region.

US STAYS MUM

The government of United States chose to stay silent over TTP’s positive response to Nawaz and said that it was “too soon to comment.”

“It would be premature for us to comment on any potential negotiations,” a State Department spokesperson said.

“The United States and Pakistan continue to have a vital, shared strategic interest in the fight against terrorism. We are working closely together to act against violent extremist groups that target both countries and deny them safe haven, and pursue a stable, peaceful, and prosperous region,” the spokesman insisted.

“All options should be tried and guns are not a solution to all problems. Why shouldn’t we sit and talk and engage in dialogue?” Sharif was quoted as saying.

The banned Taliban had offered peace talks to the previous Pakistan People’s Party-led government and named Sharif as one of three politicians who could act as guarantors for the process.