Pakistan: Peace talks fail with Taliban

By Shaheen Buneri

PESHAWAR (North West Pakistan): Pakistan Taliban Movement commonly known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) halts talks with officials of Pakistani government after government’s refusal to withdraw forces from Pakistan tribal areas.

TTP is the umbrella organization of Pakistan militant organizations with branches in Pakistan seven tribal agencies bordering Afghanistan and 24 districts of North West Frontier Province (NWFP), under the leadership of dreaded Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud.

The much touted talks were put on a standstill when Taliban stressed for withdrawal of forces from Waziristan tribal agency, Darra Adam Khel and Swat Valley where Taliban insurgents carried suicide attacks on security personnel and government buildings over the last two years, sources say.

Moulvi Omar, Spokesman of TTP told journalists in Peshawar via phone that government uncooperative attitude had badly disappointed Taliban leadership.

“It seems that the government is not serious in resolving the issue. We pinned high hopes on government’s peace rhetoric but now it has been cleared that such statements were issued to please the masses”, he added.

Taliban spokesman maintained that certain secret agencies and foreign powers were not happy with the peace process and their interference sabotaged the whole process.

“These secret hands were not interested in restoring peace to the turbulent tribal areas. Now we will not abide by the peace agreement and from today onwards the government itself will be responsible for any action by the Taliban”, he warned.

Omar explained that withdrawal of security forces was Taliban’s foremost demand before a peace agreement was signed but the government had refused to honor its commitment.

He also claimed that the government had agreed to accept three demands i.e. exchange of prisoners, compensation for those who affected in the conflict and freedom of movement for Taliban militants across the country, but stepped back on pulling out forces from the tribal region.

Currently more than 100 security personnel and government officials are in Taliban captivity while the government had imprisoned more than 200 Taliban militants in different prisons of the country.

After taking power Pakistan liberal political parties have pledged redefining war on terror and restoring peace through talks and development projects. Immediately after the announcement by Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani number of suicide attacks astonishingly decreased, however the recent deadlock in peace talks between Taliban and government may again deteriorate law and order situation in the country.

shaheenbuneri@gmail.com