ISLAMABAD: Jamiat Ulema e Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) will not be a part of peace process initiated by the government with the Taliban. This was announced by the JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman while talking to media persons following the meeting of JUI-F executive committee in Islamabad on Monday.
The JUI-F leader said that Mufti Kifayatullah will not join peace committee nominated by the Taliban, adding that Mufti Kifayatullah is bound to accept the party’s decision. Sources close to Maulana Fazlur Rehman indicates that Maulana Fazlur Rehman believes that Taliban shall not accept talks with the parametre of Constitution of Pakistan while Maulana Fazlur Rehman is known for his commitment with Parliamentary system and democracy in Pakistan despite of having soft corner for Taliban.
In response to the government’s talks offer and formation of a four-member committee for talks with the Taliban, the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had nominated a five-member team for negotiations.
The TTP-nominated committee included Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, Jamiat Uleme e Islam (S) leader Maulana Samiul Haq, Lal Masjid cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz, Jamaat-i-Islami’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief Professor Muhammad Ibrahim and former MPA Mufti Kifayatullah of the JUI-F.
Fazl said that the JUI-F was not consulted before initiating peace process. He said that those promises made with the Tribal Jirga were not honored.
The JUI-F leader said that the Jirga was assured on February 28 last year that it would be given a task for the restoration of peace. He added that the Jirga could have been effective for peace process
Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that his party will be ready if government asks for our cooperation.
Earlier, the core committee of the PTI in its meeting held in Islamabad also decided against the party chief Imran Khan’s inclusion in peace committee. However, the committee welcomed the move and assured full support to the government and the Taliban to make the dialogue process successful.
The peace talks between the government and the Taliban will begin on Tuesday as committees constituted by both sides will meet in Islamabad tomorrow at 2pm.
During the talks, the government side will be represented by a four-member committee comprising the prime minister’s advisor on national affairs Irfan Siddiqui, veteran journalist Rahimullah Yusufzai, former ambassador and expert on Afghanistan affairs Rustam Shah Mohmand and former ISI official Major (retd) Amir Shah.
