The news of peace talks with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has created a fuss in the country as the major ally of the coalition government, the PPP is demanding to summon a joint session of the Parliament to discuss the controversial issue.
PPP Senator Raza Rabbani, recently reacted to the development and asked the government to a summoned a joint session of the Parliament and added that our own people are in jail (he was referring to MNA Ali Wazir) and we are holding talks with the TTP.
After the demand of the coalition partners, especially the PPP, the NSC meeting was held in which the members were briefed about the talks with the TTP. The government which is already facing difficulties on the economic front seems has opened a new ‘Katta’ with this move.
Talks with the banned outfit are reportedly progressing well — the group announced an “indefinite ceasefire” in early June, citing “substantial progress” in the negotiations with the government. However, we have seen talks begin well and collapse several times in recent years, reportedly due to the TTP’s rehabilitation and amnesty demands. However, terrorist attacks continue despite the Afghan government’s assurances to keep the TTP in check.
“Tens of thousands of Pakistanis” have been killed in TTP attacks since 2007, according to respected think tanks such as the Brookings Institute. On the other hand, while Islamabad continues to claim that “there is no structure of organised terrorism in any part of Pakistan”, the truth in this statement is unimportant for Pakistanis. The statement is intended for foreign audiences, particularly those that want to extend FATF sanctions on Pakistan. Pakistanis are less concerned about whether or not terrorism in the country is “organised” and are more concerned that hundreds of security officials and civilians continue to die every year in TTP attacks.
Only the time will tell if the TTP sticks to its promises and assurance during the talks or it continues to carry out terrorists attack despite the agreements in the past.
