KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi has clarified about claims that the previous government’s decision to hold talks with the banned outfit helped increase terrorism in the country.
In an interview with a private TV channel, Qureshi said that the criticism of decisions regarding outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is unwarranted.
Qureshi defended the previous government’s decision to mainstream the Pakistani Taliban, saying it was necessary because they had to return following Afghanistan’s takeover by the Taliban last year. He explained that certain conditions had been set to mainstream the Taliban, including the acceptance of Pakistan’s Constitution and the prohibition of bringing arms from Afghanistan.
“They have to come here and live in peace, they have to be rehabilitated,” Qureshi added.
According to Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the then National Assembly had been given an in-camera session on the matter. The meeting was attended by everyone, including incumbent Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, current FM Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, the then-army chief, ISI chief, and all others. “Those who are raising objections today were all sitting in the briefing,” he said.
He further revealed that it had been decided after the meeting that they had to move forward and make a plan of action regarding the return of Taliban. However, right after that, the PTI’s rule was toppled.
