ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan and the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have reached a full ceasefire, Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry said on Monday.
Addressing a press conference on the progress of talks between the government and the banned TTP, Fawad said that the peace process as outlined by Prime Minister Imran Khan in an interview on October 1, 2021, has begun.
“Both sides have agreed to a full ceasefire under an agreement,” the minister said, adding that the Taliban-led interim government in Afghanistan has mediated the talks.
Fawad said the government-TTP talks would be “in accordance with the laws and constitution of Pakistan”.
He said that no government of Pakistan can negotiate against the law.
The ceasefire would be extended keeping in view the progress of the talks, he said, adding that state sovereignty and national security would be given priority, while individuals from the areas concerned – where the TTP operates – would be taken into confidence. peace talks.
“The affected persons of these areas cannot be disregarded,” Fawad said.
It is a matter of happiness that these areas of Pakistan are moving towards complete peace after a long time.
Talks between the Pakistan government and the Afghan-based Pakistani Taliban have developed positively as Islamabad agreed to release several Taliban prisoners in the first phase to encourage Taliban militants to declare a nationwide ceasefire.
Govt asks banned TTP to lay down arms, surrender: Sources
The PTI-led government had earlier asked the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to lay down its arms and surrender, Afghan Taliban sources informed Geo News on Friday, November 6.
According to sources, Afghan Taliban commander Sirajuddin Haqqani is playing a key role in the ceasefire talks and is working to make talks between the PTI-led government and the banned outfit successful.
According to sources, Mufti Noor Wali, the chief of the banned TTP, is leading the talks on behalf of the group.
However, the banned outfit said it would be “too early” to lay down the arms and called on the government to release their members from prison.
Afghan Taliban sources said the government had not yet responded to the demands of the banned outfit, adding that talks could be successful if strong guarantors are provided and the organization’s terms are accepted.
He said that some factions of the banned TTP are in favor of talks with the Pakistani government, while others are still taking a tough stand.
Pakistan in talks with TTP factions for disarmament: PM Imran Khan
It should be recalled that last month, Prime Minister Imran Khan admitted that his government was holding disarmament talks with some factions of the banned TTP as Pakistan sought stability in the country in the backdrop of the rapidly evolving situation in Afghanistan. had demanded.
Speaking to TRT World’s Ali Mustafa in Islamabad, PM Imran Khan said: “I think some Pakistani Taliban groups really want to talk to our government. You know, some for peace, some for reconciliation. “
Asked whether Pakistan is actually in talks with the TTP, the prime minister clarified that talks are on with “some of them”.
He said that the Afghan Taliban are “helping”, in the sense that talks are taking place in Afghanistan.
The premier said that these talks for disarmament, if successful, would make the government “forgive” them, “and then they [will] Be a normal citizen”.
Emphasizing that he expects some sort of settlement with the TTP, he said: “I don’t believe in a military solution. I’m an anti-military solution. So, I’ve always believed, you know, As a politician, political dialogue is the way forward, which I always believed was the case with the US in Afghanistan.”
The Prime Minister mentioned that he always believed that a non-military solution was the only way out for Afghanistan – and he has reiterated this time and again in national and international fora.
The Prime Minister’s announcement was met with stiff resistance and outrage by the opposition.
TTP announces suspension of hostilities in South Waziristan
Earlier last month, an end to hostilities between the TTP, Pakistan’s fighters and the military in South Waziristan was announced in a statement by the outlawed group.
The TTP statement said that our leaders have asked all the fighters to observe the ceasefire from today till October 20.
The TTP said their leaders were engaged in some “secret talks”, without elaborating.