Not quite a dead end!

• Prof Ibrahim says Taliban ready to sustain peace talks in spite of Chaudhry Nisar’s ‘extraordinary’ statement
• TTP provides list of 765 non-combatant prisoners for release

While terming Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s recent statement “extraordinary”, Professor Mohammad Ibrahim, member of Taliban negotiating team, has said that Taliban were ready to sustain peace talks in the prevailing situation.

Interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had said earlier in his statement that government could not continue talks with Taliban in the present situation.

“We are serious people and are holding talks with all seriousness. There are certain hiccups on the way to talks but these will be removed soon,” he said while speaking to journalists in Peshawar on Saturday.

About disbandment of government’s negotiation team, the professor said that government negotiation team’s power rested with the government.

“Earlier, a committee was formed and abolished later. However, Taliban committee will continue to strive and talks will bear fruits in this situation too.”

Taliban interlocutor said that timing and venue for the next meeting has not been decided set, however Taliban leadership was being contacted in this regard.

SAMIUL HAQ TRUSTS GOVERNMENT:

Meanwhile, the chairman of Taliban committee, Maulana Samiul Haq expressed his confidence on the government while addressing a press conference in Canal Rest House, Khanpur.

“We believe that government is serious in peace talks with Taliban. Those who believe that solution to the issue lies in military operation actually want to unleash blood frenzy.”

He held that government and army were on the same page.

“The root cause of evil is US which does not want peace to prevail in Pakistan.”

TTP WANTS PRISONERS RELEASED:

Moreover, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has given a list of 765 non-combatant prisoners they want to be released, said TTP liaison committee member Maulana Yousaf Shah during a press briefing in Multan on Saturday.

Talking to the journalists, Shah said that military operation was not a solution to the problem.

“What was the outcome of engaging war machines in those areas for the last 12 years? None of the tribal region was cleared ever,” he said.

Shah added that the advocates of military action were actually the enemies of the people of Pakistan. He said that they would urge the Taliban and government to reconsider ceasefire.