Hakeemullah Mehsud, chief of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has said he was willing to sit down with the government for negotiations, but would never disarm.
The TTP chief released a 40-minute video to a British news agency on Friday, wherein he said calls for disarmament were a joke. “We believe in dialogue but it should not be frivolous,” Mehsud said. “Asking us to lay down arms is a joke.” Mehsud said by serious talks, he meant talks without any condition.
The release of the video follows three high-profile Taliban attacks in the northern city of Peshawar this month: an attack by multiple suicide bombers on the airport, the killing of a senior politician and eight others in a bombing and the abduction of 22 paramilitary forces on Thursday. The attacks iterated Taliban’s ability to strike high-profile, well-protected targets, even as the amount of territory it controls has shrunk and its leaders are picked off by US drones. In the video, Mehsud sits cradling a rifle next to his deputy, Waliur Rehman. Military officials say there has been a split between the two men but Mehsud said that was propaganda.
“Waliur Rehman is sitting with me here and we will be together until death,” said Mehsud, pointing at his companion. Pakistani officials did not immediately respond to calls seeking comment. The Taliban said in a letter released on Thursday that they wanted Pakistan to rewrite its laws and constitution to conform with Islamic law, break its alliance with the US and stop interfering in the war in Afghanistan and focus on India instead.
Mehsud referred to the killing of the senior politician in his speech and said the political party, Awami National Party, would continue to be a target along with other politicians. “We are against the democratic system because it is un-Islamic,” Mehsud said. “Our war isn’t against any party. It is against the non-Islamic system and anyone who supports it.” Mehsud said though he was open to dialogue, the Pakistani government was to blame for the violence because it broke previous deals.
He did not clarify which. “In the past, it was the Pakistani government that broke peace agreements,” he said. “A slave of the US can’t make independent agreements, it breaks agreements according to US dictat.” The TTP chief said the Pakistani Taliban would follow the lead of the Afghan Taliban when it came to forming policy after most NATO troops withdrew from Afghanistan in 2014. “We are Afghan Taliban and Afghan Taliban are us,” he said. “We are with them and al Qaeda. We are even willing to get our heads cut off for al Qaeda.” Mehsud’s deputy Waliur Rehman dismissed any rift with the TTP chief, saying if politicians in Pakistan could unite on a one-point agenda of looting the country, the Taliban could also unite for the cause of jihad. The video was also a public debut for Ihsanullah Ihsan, the Taliban spokesman making the all-important phone calls to media houses after terror attacks to claim responsibility.
Many doubted any such person actually existed.
Put these criminals out of business once and for all. A state does not negotiate with criminal, murderous thugs.
What is needed is a comprehensive military action against Taliban so that they are taught a lesson not to take on the will of Pakistani nation.
What is the Army doing to rid the country of these criminals?
It can easily be said that if Pakistan Army is ready to talk with these murderers / terrorists than the prices of soldiers lives who died in this war is sold cheaply.
There is no-way Pakistan Army will ever shake-hand with these terrorists – if they do – Taliban will become strong in coming days and will be even more notorious. Above all what circumstantial change has brought the Taliban to start talking rather than walking ? We should be more focus on that point as a nation.
Lets be clear about one thing,when you or the people refer to the army,use a rank or a person in particular you are referring to,thousands of brave soldiers and officers have died protecting our nation and its people.My point,don't throw everyone in one basket.But I did get your point.And lets not forget,its not just the generals who are to be blamed here,the useless government also has a say so in it,where are those 2 morons,Malik and Kaira,these 2 should be held responsible along with the generals,they are too focused on youtube and making deals with MQM.
They are feeling the pinch and trying to buy time. Army shouls push even harder to get rid of them and no quarter be given.
"They are feeling the pinch and trying to buy time"? So that's the official napak party line? hahahahaha
Ladies and Gents, We have a talibani scum piece of p|g turd here
Army needs to finish these scums. Annihilate and exterminate these sucker monsters from the face of the earth.
Absolutely no deals or discussion should be done with these terrorists. It will be treachery to 40,000 Pakistanis killed by them and 3000 soldiers killed
Govt. must accept this offer without any delay. Its a good thing that Taliban have shown willingness to talk to the Govt. Though initially they are not willing to lay down weapons but as things will move on and Govt will show that its really is willing to come out of American influence, the Taliban -I am sure- will also agree to give up voilance. Our political leadership must understand that too much water has passed underr the bridges. And now is the time when Pakistan must stop acting like a American puppet . It must reshape its relationship with US based on dignity. It must bring in a change in its role not simply verbal but also that is visible to all and sundry.
I appreciate Taliban that they are dettermined on one point agenda: Jehad. Jehad against oppressive forcesses is must. Only with Jehad we – the muslims- can ensure our survival, which unfortunately seems in jeopardy.
SHAHID HUSSEIN QABOOLPURIA,
LAHORE, PAKISTAN
There's no point to negotiate with these faceless enemies of the nation.
What Islam and which Quran do these butchers believe in.These heartless creatures need to be taken out once in for all,negotiations ??? yeah sure with a tanks 120 mm tiny bullet in their rare ends lol.HELLO AND GOODBYE.
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