Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said on Thursday that there was no possibility of discussions with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on the withdrawal of troops from tribal areas near the Afghan border and reversing the FATA merger, stating that such demands were against the constitution.
National Assembly did on 24th May, 2018 pass A constitutional amendment paves the way for the merger of the region formally known as Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
in an interview for same tv Program Nadeem Malik LiveSanaullah said talks with those willing to surrender weapons are possible.
When asked about the strength of the TTP fighters, the minister said that the “TTP fighting force” consisted of 4,000 to 5,000 members.
“Names associated with the APS (Army Public School) incident can never be considered for apology,” he said.
He said that it has to be seen what kind of people will participate in the talks from the other side. He said that if representatives of the political government in Afghanistan are present, then politicians from our side will also participate in the discussion.
The minister said he did not believe the outcome of the talks would be visible in weeks. “It will take a few months,” he said.
Sanaullah stressed that the civilian and military leadership were on the same page that TTP terrorists would not be allowed to take up arms. “Otherwise, we will not withdraw from the fight”.
“The military leadership assured us that we have the capability and strength to effectively resolve these issues,” the minister said.
The involvement of foreign elements in terrorist attacks in Pakistan could not be ruled out, he said, adding that there were some forces behind the TTP who did not want peace in the country.
The minister said the security briefing given yesterday was “comprehensive” and covered all aspects of the issue, but there were no “suggestive measures”.
Sanaullah said guidance had been sought from the parliamentary committee, and lawmakers had been briefed about the “results” of the various actions.
“The committee, in the presence of Prime Minister Asif Ali Zardari and all parties including the ANP and MQM, had a consensus that the talks [with the TTP] should be conducted,” the minister revealed.
He reiterated that there was another consensus on negotiating within the framework of the Constitution.
‘No threat to Imran’
Sanaullah dismissed reports that claimed former prime minister Imran Khan was a security threat. He said that PTI leader Babar Awan has expressed “hollow” concern that Imran’s life is in danger.
“When we looked into it, there was no truth in these claims,” the minister said.
He said that another PTI leader Fayyazul Hasan Chauhan had claimed that Imran was facing threats from Afghanistan, adding that the party should have conveyed the concerns to the agencies concerned instead of “campaigning on the matter”. .
Responding to a question, the Home Minister said Imran would be given “proper security” if he had to campaign in Punjab as part of his party’s campaign for the upcoming by-elections to the 20 Punjab Assembly seats.
However, the minister reiterated that Imran should be arrested and prosecuted for his “extremist views and inciting violence”.
He made it clear that now no one will be allowed to enter Islamabad for the purpose of disturbing the peace of the capital.
appointment of next army chief
When asked about the appointment of the next Chief of Army Staff, the Home Minister said a decision in this regard would be taken in October.
He said there was a tradition to appoint COAS a month before his retirement, but there is also a tradition to make such announcements much closer to the end of the term. [of the serving army chief],
Asked about the party leaders staying in London, Sanaullah said he had advised Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif that senior party leader Ishaq Dar should return to the country.
He said he had also requested party founder and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif to come back to the country.