Summary The JI leader says the duration of ceasefire between Taliban and the government has ended.
PESHAWAR (Dunya News) - Member of Taliban committee Professor Ibrahim has stressed that the government should immediately contact the Taliban committee to schedule next meeting, saying that they were waiting for government negotiator response for next phase of talks.
Talking to Dunya News here on Wednesday, the Jamat-e-Islami (JI) leader said that the duration of ceasefire between Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the government has ended and it is necessary to contact Taliban to discuss ceasefire extension.
Professor Ibrahim said that the government should contact the Taliban committee without further delay so that another meeting with Taliban may be arranged.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on last Sunday said that Taliban negotiations process was heading towards positive directions and that nation will soon be given ‘good news.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday to brief him about the developments regarding the Taliban negotiations process.
Reportedly, Ch Nisar explained the developments in details and took Prime Minister into confidence. Government’s next strategy regarding the negotiations also came under discussion. Prime Minister and Interior Minister also discussed the overall national security situations.
Earlier on Saturday, Chaudhry Nisar convened a joint meeting of government and Taliban dialogue committees.
It merits mentioning here that Taliban had expressed satisfaction on Thursday over government committee’s explanation, that no women were being held in government’s custody, in a meeting with Taliban Shura.
According to sources, in a meeting with Taliban which took place a day earlier, government committee explained that if family members of Fazlullah can be released, government has no reason to hold other women and children.
Government committee also offered further investigation if Taliban provide any evidential information. Reportedly, Taliban expressed satisfaction over government’s position.
Sources reveal that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was also mentioned repeatedly during the meeting. At one point, an unnamed member of government committee reiterated that Nawaz Sharif wants political solution to the conflict; to which Taliban leader Maulvi Bashir responded by saying “you people are obsessed with Nawaz Sharif.”
Government committee also met Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar and debriefed him about the developments on Taliban meeting.
