PTM ends talks with the government

–Advocate Fazal Khan says govt not sincere in fulfiling its promises

PESHAWAR: Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) on Sunday announced an end to the dialogues with the government.

After a break of about one week, dialogues between the government and PTM resumed in Peshawar on Sunday afternoon. However, after brief exchanges on previous meetings proposals, PTM representatives announced an end to the talks. The detention of PTM founding member Hayat Ullah Preghal from his home in Dera Ismael Khan and his shifting to an unknown location led to this decision.

The jirga members nominated by the government include ex-MNA Haji Shahjee Gul Afridi, Malik Khan Marjan Wazir, Ajmal Wazir, Abdul Rahman Faqir and Malik Waris Afridi.

The PTM team, headed by senior lawyer Latif Afridi, comprised Dr Said Alam Mehsud, Advocate Fazal Khan, Abdul Karim Mehsud, Amin Mehsud, Advocate Rahim Shah and others.

At the very outset of the meeting, the PTM jirga members repeated their demand regarding the issuance of a formal notification, authorising the government nominated jirga for making decisions as well as an end to the arrests of PTM workers. However, according to Advocate Fazal Khan, there was no proper answer.

During this time, the government nominated jirga members talked to unknown persons time and time again and reminded them about their promises of releasing all PTM workers and withdrawal of cases. But they did not receive any satisfactory answer, thus compelling the PTM nominated jirga members and its top leadership to declare an end to dialogue with the government.

Talking to Pakistan Today, Advocate Fazal Khan confirmed the ending of dialogues with the government saying, “Now it is confirmed that the government is not sincere in fulfilling its promises and commitments. On such grounds, we are no more in position to continue dialogues.”

In this respect, Advocate Fazal Khan diverted the attention towards the government-loyal militants’ attack on PTM leader and members in Wana, South Waziristan which led to the death 11 and injuries to 41 others; action against peaceful protesters in Mirali, North Waziristan and other places and arrests of workers in Islamabad, Banu, Swat, Karachi and other places.

So far the government has not issued any reaction to PTM’s decision of ending/boycotting dialogues. Advocate Fazal Khan said that PTM leaders will announce the next course of action after consultation within a few days.