ISLAMABAD:
The future of the dialogue process between the government and the TTP
greatly depends on the release of non-combatant women, children and
elderly men alleged to be in the custody of the security forces.
Though the much-awaited face-to-face first meeting between the TTP and the government committees was itself a major development yet it ended without any breakthrough as the Taliban sought the release of their non-combatant women, children and old men. They offered that in return they would also release the likes of Dr Ajmal, Shahbaz Taseer and Ali Haider Gilani.
Without any formal announcement, according to informed sources, the TTP indicated that the ceasefire would continue till the continuation of the peace process. The TTP handed over a list of their non-combatant persons to the government committee, which assured them that they would probe the matter.
According to a source, the government will now have to seriously look into the TTP’s demand for the release of non-combatant women, children and old men from the alleged illegal custody of the armed and security forces.
The source said although the list contained a few hundred names yet the early release of a few dozen of such detainees would not only save the future of the talks process but would also produce fruitful results.
The military authorities have already denied that they have any such non-combatant Taliban prisoners. Now Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan will have to seriously look into this matter.
The government committee wanted an extension of the ceasefire for an indefinite period or for a reasonable time period but the Taliban did not give a clear word and hinted that the ceasefire would continue till the continuation of the talks.
The TTP, however, complained to the government committee about the alleged raids on the Taliban and their detention, the extrajudicial killing of their men and some targeted operations in Mohmand and Bajaur after the announcement of the ceasefire. The government committee talked about the terrorist attacks during the same period.
Though the much-awaited face-to-face first meeting between the TTP and the government committees was itself a major development yet it ended without any breakthrough as the Taliban sought the release of their non-combatant women, children and old men. They offered that in return they would also release the likes of Dr Ajmal, Shahbaz Taseer and Ali Haider Gilani.
Without any formal announcement, according to informed sources, the TTP indicated that the ceasefire would continue till the continuation of the peace process. The TTP handed over a list of their non-combatant persons to the government committee, which assured them that they would probe the matter.
According to a source, the government will now have to seriously look into the TTP’s demand for the release of non-combatant women, children and old men from the alleged illegal custody of the armed and security forces.
The source said although the list contained a few hundred names yet the early release of a few dozen of such detainees would not only save the future of the talks process but would also produce fruitful results.
The military authorities have already denied that they have any such non-combatant Taliban prisoners. Now Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan will have to seriously look into this matter.
The government committee wanted an extension of the ceasefire for an indefinite period or for a reasonable time period but the Taliban did not give a clear word and hinted that the ceasefire would continue till the continuation of the talks.
The TTP, however, complained to the government committee about the alleged raids on the Taliban and their detention, the extrajudicial killing of their men and some targeted operations in Mohmand and Bajaur after the announcement of the ceasefire. The government committee talked about the terrorist attacks during the same period.
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