Taliban withdraw talks offer with Pakistan

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - In a message from an undisclosed location spokesman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Pakistan Ehsanullah Ehsan has announced to suspend all types of negotiations with Pakistan government.

He said the decision has been taken after the killing of  top TTP leader Waliur Rehman in a US drone attack on Wednesday.

He said TTP holds Pakistan government responsible for the drone attacks as these attacks are carried out with the consent of Pakistan authorities.

He also confirmed the killing of top TTP leader Waliur Rehman in the drone attack.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan confirmed that Wali-ur-Rehman was killed in a US drone strike. TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan also announced that the offer to hold talks with the incoming Pakistani government was also being withdrawn.

According to a foreign news agency, Wali-ur-Rehman was buried in Miranshah in North Waziristan Agency.

At least six people including Wali-ur-Rehman were killed in Wednesday’s US drone strike in North Wazirstan Agency. This was the first drone strike since Pakistan’s May 11 general elections.

Earlier TTP had welcomed the offer of talks made by the PML-N leaders Mian Nawaz Sharif.

While appreciating Nawaz Sharif’s positive response to Taliban’s peace talks offer and the subsequent TTP’s welcome message, some of the religious scholars and groups that took active part in the Pak-Afghan Ulema conference, have emphasised whatever the methodology and timing of these talks, they should be held within the framework of Constitution of Pakistan.

The religious circles said that almost all the religious parties including JI, JUI-F, JUI-S and PUC were delighted to note the announcement made by PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif that his party considered talks with the TTP as a wise and effective step in the direction to lasting peace.

They were also happy with the TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan’s welcome response to Sharif’s olive branch, as reported (TTP response) in the media the other day.