Summary Taliban committee said that Taliban want to negotiate with open minds.
The negotiations process has reportedly picked up the pace as both government and Taliban committees informally met in Islamabad on Tuesday. Afterwards, government committee members briefed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in which committee member Irfan Siddiqui said that reports received from Taliban are satisfactory. Taliban committee patron Maulana Samiul Haq said that those involved in recent explosions are trying to shatter all hopes.
Government and Taliban negotiations committees held an informal meeting at the residence of Major (r) Amir and members including Maulana Samiul Haq, Professor Ibrahim, Maulana Yousaf Shah, along with government committee members Irfan Siddiqui, Major (r) Amir and Rustam Mohmand were in attendance.
Maulana Yousaf Shah informed about the discussion with Taliban Shura that took place last week. He said that Taliban want to negotiate with open minds.
Government committee member Irfan Siddiqui said that the suggestions and demands came forward during the negotiation meetings will be discussed during next session. He further said that if the committees went forward with the same spirit, more solid and positive steps could be taken.
Taliban committee member Maulana Samiul Haq said that details acquired from Taliban have been delivered to the government committee without creating problems that can sabotage the negotiation process. Samiul Haq further advised a ceasefire from both sides. He further said that those involved in recent explosive attacks are shattering the hopes adding that Taliban have distanced themselves from those attacks.
The government committee met with the Prime Minister and took him into confidence over the developments amid meetings with Taliban. The meeting with Prime Minister included Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar.
Earlier, addressing a news conference on Monday, Maulana Samiul Haq had said that negotiations with Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in North Waziristan have so far been positive and encouraging.
He said nothing will be kept secret from the nation, however details cannot be made public at this stage to save the dialogue process. He said our desire is to bring an end to bloodshed and revive peace through the dialogue process.
Taliking to media on Monday, Professor Ibrahim said that Taliban have responded positively to the government’s initiative. He said that Taliban also want to hold the talks in a sincere way.
Professor Ibrahim said that positive results were expected from the process of peace talks. He expressed the hope that unrest will end and peace will restore in the country. Professor Ibrahim said that the nation would receive good news soon.
