ISLAMABAD: The federal government led by Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) has decided to dissolve its existing committee which includes Irfan Siddqui, Major (retd) Amir, Rustam Shah Mohmand and Rahimullah Yousufzai and form a new committee to represent it in the talks with committee nominated by the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The sources said that the new committee is expected to be formed in the next two to three days and it will include representatives of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, the Army, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and other stakeholders.
The committee will also receive decision-making powers, the sources added.
The coordinator of the government committee Irfan Siddiqui said that we have asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to replace the committee with an effective forum. He said that we believe that in the next phase, sensitive issues and demands will come up and we need to have a mechanism for direct contacts.
Rahimullah Yusufzai, another member of the government peace committee, said that we have proposed that those who have authority to make decisions should be part of this committee. He added that there should be representatives from the government and the military in the committee.
Earlier, a meeting of the negotiators representing the federal government and the TTP was held with the prime minister in Islamabad on Thursday.
During the meeting, both the sides reviewed future strategy to carry forward the peace talks.
The prime minister appreciated the contribution of both the committees for the sake of bringing peace. He said that the government prefers the dialogue option for lasting peace.
