- Govt officials say release of 16 ‘non-combatant’ prisoners an attempt to seek extension in ceasefire from Taliban
- Sources say Taliban freed were found not involved in terrorist activities
- Taliban negotiator says TTP Shura ready to extend ceasefire after govt gesture
Struggling to woo the Taliban in a bid to revive the peace talks, the political administration of North Waziristan Agency (NWA) has released at least 16 ‘combatant and non-combatant’ prisoners of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Pakistan Today has learnt.
Waziristan political agent Islam Zeb said that the ones released were ‘innocent tribals’ who were arrested from South Waziristan during different search operations. However, he did not contradict the claim that some combatants had also been released.
Zeb said all the released prisoners belonged to the Mehsud tribe, a major Pashtun tribe living in South Waziristan. Another 100 prisoners on the Taliban’s list will be released in the next few days, he added.
The released inmates include Mera Jan, Abdullah Jan, Salamat Khan, Badshah Gul, Abdul Aziz, Noorzada, Satta Jan, Saddam Hussain, Ziauddin, Sherpao, Riaz Ali, Mir Alam, Sher Alam Khan, Iqbal and Noor Alam.
Intelligence officials confirmed that the prisoners were brought to the Zari Noor army camp in Wana. Security officials said that once at Wana, the prisoners were handed over to office of the political agent, who then handed them to the Taliban.
It is pertinent to mention that the enclave on the Afghan border was once the epicentre of a spreading Taliban insurgency and the site of a major military offensive in 2009 that displaced half a million people.
The release is another major breakthrough towards revival of the dialogue process between the government and militants as the TTP spokesman has demanded release of 800 TTP prisoners if the government wanted an extension in ceasefire. The Taliban have also demanded withdrawal of the army from parts of the semi-autonomous tribal areas along the border with Afghanistan
Despite a ‘successful’ first round of direct peace talks between the government and Taliban, the latter is yet to formally extend the truce after the month-long ceasefire which ended March 31, saying that the government was “not serious” about meeting their demands.
RELEASING THE ONES NOT GUILTY:
A source involved in the dialogue process confided in Pakistan Today that the released prisoners included all against whom the government had failed to gather concrete evidence for conviction.
A member of the government’s negotiating panel confirmed that the dialogue committees had agreed in principle that all those ‘combatants’ who had been nabbed but the State had failed to collect evidence against them should also be released.
“It had been decided by the two committees that all those combatants should be released who had territorial responsibilities by TTP and despite being arrested by security forces, the government was unable to collect evidence against them. Such commanders and combatants will be released according to the agreement,” the negotiator said, requesting not being named.
Terming the release of Taliban prisoners as a positive development, the negotiator said it would help build confidence between the government and TTP and hoped for an extension in the ceasefire. “In second round of dialogue, we will focus on security of polio workers, extension in ceasefire, halting insurgency and ensuring a free zone for TTP militants,” he added.
In the meanwhile, a senior army official told Pakistan Today that the release of Taliban involved in attacks on civilians and the army was ‘impossible’.
“There is no way these hardened militants will be freed. Neither will the army pull out of the tribal areas. What are the Taliban asking: that we hand them parts of the country? That’s not going to happen. No chance,” said the official who requested anonymity.
FORMALLY INFORMAL:
Furthermore, a source in the government told Pakistan Today, “Though the formal talks are stalled and the committees representing TTP and the government are not meeting formally but an informal backchannel has been opened between both sides to help the dialogue revive,” the source said, adding that Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was involved in the informal talks launched through some religious leaders.
“The clerics-led backchannel is active to ensure extension in the ceasefire and Nisar is playing an active role,” the source added.
The source added that the prime minister had also taken Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on board over the release of Taliban prisoners during the informal meeting held on Wednesday at the Prime Minister’s House. Apart from the army chief, ISI DG and other army officers were also present during the meeting.
CEASEFIRE EXTENDED?
Following the release of prisoners, TTP negotiation committee member Yousuf Shah said: “The TTP Shura has unanimously decided to cease fire so that peace negotiations can endure until consensus is reached. Taliban are bound to honour their agreement with the government, but it is also essential for the latter to fulfil TTP’s demands it accepted during the earlier meeting. Both the sides are likely to come to the table on Friday (today).”
PM HOUSE, MOI CONFUSED ON PRISONERS’ RELEASE:
Interestingly, the PML-N government stood divided on its claims about the release of TTP prisoners soon after a foreign media outfit claimed that the prisoners had been released after permission by the prime minister.
“Incorrect! No authorisation has been made from the prime minister. The political agent has released petty criminals and no Taliban prisoner has been released nor (any) direction has been given (by the prime minister). The news of international agency is baseless and false,” said the Prime Minister’s House spokesman.
However, Ministry of Interior was quick to cover up the clarification, confirming the prisoners’ release, saying that the ones released were ‘non-combatants’.
Later on Thursday, the Ministry of Interior and Narcotics Control issued details of 19 non-combatant Taliban prisoners who were release on different dates.
According to a ministry official, three prisoners were released on March 21, five prisoners on March 25 while 11 prisoners were freed on March 28. He said these prisoners were arrested on the basis of intelligence reports and suspicion and were freed after being proven not guilty.
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