Taliban, Gov’t must withdraw talks conditions to end bloodshed

The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) says that the ball is now in the government’s court howit responds to their fresh dialogue offer. However, Taliban conditions for the talks could be a hurdle to accomplish the much-required peace in the country, which has suffered more than any other country in the so-called war on terror.

The TTP has not yet agreed to lay down arms and to stop attacks as talks would be diffucult in such an environment.

The Taliban offered dialogue in a video released to the media on Sunday, seeking guarantee of three senior political leaders to ensure implementation of any peace accord following the talks.

Taliban spokesman, Ehsanullah Ehsan called for the release of two former Taliban spokesmen, Maulvi Omar and Muslim Khan, who would lead the Taliban team in the talks.

On one hand offered peace talks but on the other, the Taliban spokesman said the militants will keep on attacks against the PPP, ANP and MQM. The Taliban must be aware that it would be political setup to hold talks with them and not the army as had been done in the past.

The Taliban talks offer is seen as a major step towards the elusive peace process but their conditions are not helpful to make any progress if they want to end the bloodshed as terror attacks and military operations have claimed the lives of some 40,000 people including over 3000 security me in the past 11 years.

Taliban refusal to lay down arms and stop attacks could also make the peace talks offer difficult to achieve as peace and killings cannot go at same time.

On the other side the government must also withdraw its demand of the Taliban to surrender arms. Talks would be away if the Taliban and the government press for their conditions as their stand will not bring both sides close.

The people, who have suffered a lot in the war, want a positive response from the government to the Taliban talks offer to find out a negotiated settlement to the violent extremism.

Pre-conditions have never helped in beginning of talks and the Taliban and the government will have to adopt a relaxed approach if they are interested in peace. The conditions mean more killings.

The government has yet to come up with a response to the Taliban dialogue offer and the people would want an urgent and positive response and also to chalk out a plan how to proceed with the peace process.

The country has suffered a lot and lost more lives than any other country and the people are now tired of the daily bomb attacks. They do not want to see more bloodshed and wish to live in an environment free from fear. The killing of innocent people must be stopped now and Pakistanis should not be sacrificed for others, who now enjoy the fruit of peaceful life but Pakistan and its people still live in uncertain condition.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Feb 4 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.