PTI ‘clueless’ and ‘confused’ about TTP talks

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The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) seems almost “clueless” and “confused” about future strategy in holding of dialogue with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
It is the party which has been supporting talks with the militants and its leadership has time and again called for opening a TTP office to facilitate the dialogue process.
Moreover, the dialogue process is likely to take a formal shape, the parties which called for “giving peace a chance” are skeptical about each others’ commitment and understanding of the issue of terrorism. After a brief lull, the PTI and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl have accused each other.
Interactions with the leadership of both parties revealed that the JUI-F looked better prepared and more committed to taking the peace process ahead under a thought-out plan while the PTI looked confused, clueless and double-minded whether or not to support the peace process.
A PTI source said that following strong media criticism against Imran Khan’s proposal of opening the TTP office, the key leaders of the party had pressed him to review his stance.
“Initially Imran Khan resisted but when his close aides, including Asad Umar, also asked him to review his decision, he took a U-turn and told journalists that his party would support a “ruthless military operation” against the Taliban if talks were failed,” said the source, adding that this was a face-saving bid by the PTI leader on his earlier stance.
“Actually, Imran Khan has a problem. He always takes strong stance – a policy which always backfires in politics. But since he is a Pashtun, he is helpless and takes bold stance,” he added.
On the other hand, the JUI-F seems to be the only party which has come up with concrete and constructive proposals on how to move ahead.
JUI-F spokesman Jan Muhammad Achakzai said Fazlur Rehman was the only politician who understood the complexities involved with the dialogue process.
“I suppose the PTI has lost the plot. The PTI leadership is only making ‘lip-service’ on dialogue process without any practical and concrete idea of how to go about it. Neither they have contacted tribal elders nor they have any clue of any mechanism to hold talks,” he asserted.
Achakzai said that the JUI-F is the only party which understood the region, its culture and its people.
“We know how to go about it and that is why Fazlur Rehman not only outlaid a five-point mechanism of talks but he also came up with a clear vision of how to move forward and formed a jirga to contact the Taliban and start negotiations with them,” he said, adding that the prime minister and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister had also supported his idea.
PTI leader and KP Information Minister Shah Farman Khan said that his party would not mind if any individual or a party could help in taking the dialogue process ahead.
“We want the federal government to take the lead since they are already in some sort of engagement with militants. Taking a backseat, we want them to lead as they formulate policy regarding drone attacks and also the federal government controls federally administered tribal areas (FATA) where militants are based,” he added.
Asked whether or not the federal government had taken the KP government or PTI leadership onboard on dialogue process with the TTP, he looked clueless but hastened to add, “I am sure they are talking but we will explore other options if they fail…”
When asked further why his party was clueless on peace process, the minister said the PTI did not want to start a simultaneous dialogue process and it had decided to permit the federal government take the lead.
Asked whether the PTI would mind if Fazlur Rehman takes the lead, Farman said, “We have no problem if any individual could help this process take ahead but the chief minister KP is comfortable with the pace of process”.
When asked if the KP government would ever join the dialogue to ensure that this process does not derail, he said, “We will join the process at some appropriate time.”

8 COMMENTS

  1. Iam sorry but Imran khan lack maturity. He seems bacha log. And seems not ready to get adulthood.those forces who have given him KPK knew of his level. He has no neither he any one in his own presence

  2. Iam sorry but Imran khan lack maturity. He seems bacha log. And seems not ready to get adulthood.those forces who have given him KPK knew of his level. He has no enemy neither he needs any one in his own presence

  3. Look no body can question Imran's motives. He desperately wants to bring peace in Pakistan but he tends to shoot from hip without consideing the consequence of his words or does he.? According to a former ISI chief whom Imran admires the TTP is a umbrella organisation of 30 parties. Of these 27 are in favour of talks but can'n control the other three who seem to causing havoc. If TTP cannot select a person to represent them who do whom do we call? As soon Nawaz was elected the PM he called APC and there was total agreement about talks. Invite our Pakistani brethern to talks. Well we got RSVP with regrets in the form of bombing churches and the famous Kissa khawni bazzar in Peshawar. Well TTP did thank Imran for his offer to open an"office" but declined. I fail to understand what Imran means by structured talks. He is ready to talk so is the Govt. May i ask who is setting preconditions?

  4. Is this a news or a commentary, or someone's opinion ? Whatever it is, it is praising JUI for having a clear vision & a concrete plan how to proceed dialogues with TTP. Just yesterday I read there are 60 different organizations under this umbrella, a commentator is saying they are 30 ? I also read someone pointing RAW behind latest suicide bombings. If this is true then RAW is so deeply entrenched in TTP that these suicide bombers are killing themselves for India. I am unable to understand if JUI is so effective then why they can not bring interim peace until the dialogues begin. And what does JUI suggests if talks fail ? PTI leadership is immature, so is the writer.

  5. whatever the vision we need peace. pti has taken a perfect stance and proven that democracy is the winner and the light at the end of the tunnel is emerging come what may. like the proverb…too many cooks spoil the broth….

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