Taliban Committee confirms deadlock in peace talks

PESHAWAR: The Taliban-nominated committee for peace talks has said a deadlock had been created between their and govenrment’s committee in peace talks, following the slaying of FC men in Mohmand Agency.

They also appealed the Taliban and the government to refrain from any offensive, ARY News reported on Monday.

Addressing a press conference here, Maulana Yousuf Shah, the member of Taliban-nominated committee for peace talks, said a meeting of their committee was held with Maulana Sami ul Haq in the chair, which discussed the  current situation of dialogue.

He regretted the refusal of government committee member, Irfan Siddiqui for holding a meeting today. We don’t consider ourselves detached from the committee, however, refusal of Siddiqui’s from the meeting is disappointing.

We also express disappointment on Mohmand Agency tragedy wherein 23 FC men were killed and we could have discussed it mutually had there been a meeting, said Maulana Yousuf.

He said the government committee labeled us Taliban and preferred not to speak to us.

Some TV channels reporting that a decision had been made for military offensive against terrorists, he said, adding that no positive outcome would yield out of military operation and scores of people will be displaced in its wake. Yesterday we were near announcement of ceasefire but today the situation has been changed, he regretted.

“We still believe that contacts should be strengthened to avoid such collateral damage in state offensive against terrorists.”

He said prime minister should listen to both the committees for reaching a proper decision.

Speaking on the occasion, Professor Ibrahim said a deadlock had been created between us and government committee. Had there been a meeting, we should have sought clarification from Taliban over FC men’s murder. We cannot defend Taliban on FC men’s slaying. We urge that any offensive should be prevented from both sides.

We appeal both the sides to refrain from launching any offensive, added Prof. Ibrahim.