02/04/2014, 00.00
PAKISTAN
Send to a friend

Islamabad, tentative peace talks begin between the government and Taliban

First meeting outlines framework for dialogue. "Father" of the Taliban: no preconditions. Government representative: doubts about TTP delegation’s representative power. Controversial and conflicting opinions about the real effectiveness of a deal with the Islamists.

Islamabad ( AsiaNews / Agencies) - Islamabad has begun tentative peace talks with the Taliban. During this first meeting, the representatives of the executive and the delegation of Tehreek - e-Taliban Pakistan ( TTP ) are drawing up a roadmap that will dictate the time and manner of dialogue. The struggle launched by Islamic extremists against the military, the institutions and the civilian population of the country began in 2007 and registered progressive waves of violence.  In recent weeks there have been numerous and targeted attacks that have left hundreds dead or wounded. However, last week the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that "peace talks will go forward."

The escalation has prompted some analysts to speculate a vast military operation against Taliban strongholds in the tribal areas of northern Pakistan, but a frontal military attack does not seem the preferred option of the executive, which prefers the path of dialogue to achieve a permanent ceasefire. Moreover there are many who think - including policy experts, intellectuals and citizens - that the dialogue will only " strengthen " the TTP position.

Maulana Sami ul -Haq - known as the "father of the Taliban", one of the members of the delegation involved in the negotiations - said that these initial meetings will serve to outline a first "ceasefire" between the government and militants. He adds the condition is necessary for the peace process itself and that his party has not made ​​any formal demands ahead of talks.  Although many claim that an essential condition for peace is the introduction of sharia , or Islamic law , throughout Pakistan.

The government however, still has some doubts regarding the Taliban delegation, which is made ​​up of people from "outside" the movement, with a more "political" component believes in a "peaceful struggle for Islamic rule". It remains to be seen whether they truly represent the soul of the Taliban, that has waged a bloody war for years and seems unwilling to reach a peace agreement. " Let us have no illusions details - confirmed Rahimullah Yusufzai , a leading exponent of the executive front - we know that will it is a great challenge."

To everyone's surprise, last week the Prime Minister Sharif announced the continuation of talks. In a speech to Parliament, he added that terrorism must be defeated by words or by force, and that he was willing to "give peace a last chance". Pressure is growing on the government to put a stop to the violence and extremist adrift .

For some time the civilian population of Pakistan has been calling for decisive action to bring peace and security to a country exasperated by the logic of violence and conflict of a religious background. In a peaceful march of the "white flags" recently in Faisalabad , hundreds of people have proposed a "third way" : dialogue with the militants but hit hard anyone who pursues the logic of violence . In late January, the Pakistani Catholic Church promoted a day of prayer to remember all the victims of terrorism.

 

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
"We are optimistic," says Paul Bhatti as Rimsha Masih's bail hearing postponed to Friday
03/09/2012
Pope talks about the Middle East, the Holy Land and the food crisis with Bush
13/06/2008
Pakistan: ulemas against the Taliban, “full support” to the government and army
18/05/2009
Islamabad to continue fencing off its border with Afghanistan
04/01/2022 15:55
"Islamic peace" in the Swat is a defeat for the rule of law
27/02/2009


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”