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Imran urges TTP to name its members for dialogueISLAMABAD: Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaf (PTI), has urged the banned Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to nominate its members for holding dialogue with the government representatives.
Imran Khan’s statement came as the TTP proposed five-member team, comprising PTI Chief Imran Khan, Jamiat Ulema e Islam-Sami (JUI-S) Chief Maulana Samiul Haq, Jamiat Ulema e Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Mufti Kifayatullah, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader Professor Ibrahim and Lal Masjid’s Maulana Abdul Aziz, to hold peace talks with the government on its behalf.
Earlier on Saturday, it was reported that the TTP asked to include the aforementioned four clerics and a politician in the government’s four-member committee.
However, Hamid Mir, who is a senior journalist, quoted Shahidullah Shahid as denying that TTP wanted the aforementioned proposed mediators to be part of the government’s team constituted to negotiate peace with Taliban.
"Lately, some satellite news channels aired a report claiming TTP has demanded these dignitaries should be in the government team, which is misleading and groundless. We never asked them for that, instead we proposed these names for a panel, which would represent TTP", Shahidullah Shahid told Hamid Mir.
Mir revealed that JI's Professor Ibrahim had confirmed to him that he was contacted by the TTP for the same over the phone.
"I have been requested to represent Taliban in Pakistan-TTP parleys", Mir quoted Ibrahim as saying.
Professor Ibrahim also told Hamid Mir that his top brass had allowed him to play a mediator's role in the peace talks.
"I will only act as a Salis-e-Khair (intermediary for a good cause). That's it."
JUI-S's Maulana Samiul Haq reserved his decision for now.
"My decision will wait until things become clear", said Maulana Sami.
A core committee of the PTI would met here Sunday that would review how to play its role in helping the peace process.
Other proposed team members have yet not come up with a confirmation whether they are ready to represent Tailban in talks.
AFP
Courtesy www.geo.tv