- Taliban’s 10-member consultative committee meeting comes to an end with no clear declaration on ceasefire
Though Taliban’s consultative 10-member Shura concluded its two days meeting at an unknown place of North Waziristan on Sunday, they are yet to declare its decisions, particularly on the government’s demand for an immediate ceasefire.
“Ceasefire can be declared whenever the government will demonstrate seriousness,” said a Taliban commander to a reporter after the meeting. However, he didn’t explain what he meant “seriousness on the part of government.”
Similarly, the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban commanders also showed resentment over the statements of ministers and other government officials. “Statements on the part of government officials are harmful to the negotiation process,” they added.
It was observed the TTP leaders or the members of consultative political committee headed by Qari Shakil were against the Taliban committee’s second trip to North Waziristan. In this respect, the committee expressed certain reservations which could be made public in coming few days.
Further details and decisions made in the two days consultative meeting are yet to be received. However, the Taliban commanders are in contacts with the members of their nominated committee – Maulana Sami Ul Haq and Prof Muhammad Ibrahim Khan.
It may be mentioned that before going for next round of talks between the two committees, the government insisted on early ceasefire but but Taliban are reluctant in making any such announcement.
Taliban’s political Shura has reportedly decided in principle for ceasefire and the announcement in this regard is expected during the next 24 hours.
Sources said the TTP Shura had demanded withdrawal of Army from North Waziristan besides release of their non-combatant companions.
Meanwhile, TTP nominated committee’s spokesman Yousuf Shah anticipated that the Taliban would soon announce ceasefire.
While talking to media on Sunday, he said the Taliban would soon announce ceasefire in order to keep the dialogue process going. Shah said they had demanded for a meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and military leadership, however, they had not been given any response yet.
A committee member, requesting anonymity, said a meeting could be called today to reach a final decision on ceasefire issue.
However, an attack on a police bus on February 13 that killed 13 police personnel and injured 57 others violated the informal agreement. The TTP had claimed responsibility for the attack calling it an act of revenge for targeting its operatives in various parts of the country.
On February 15, the JUI-S chief and Taliban’s chief intermediary, Maulana Samiul Haq, had appealed to the government and the Taliban to announce a ceasefire. He made this plea while reading out a joint declaration after an Ulema and Mashaikh Peace Convention at a Lahore hotel.