ISLAMABAD: The All Parties Conference (APC) convened to evolve a joint strategy to restore peace in the country’s militancy-hit tribal areas, on Thursday issued a declaration which says Pakistan’s government should take immediate steps to initiate peace talks with Taliban militants, Dispatch News Desk (DND) reported.
The APC, organized by the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) and attended by major political parties and tribal leaders, also agreed on using the platform of a grand tribal jirga for peace negotiations with the Pakistani Taliban militants.
The declaration said that leaders of various parties at the APC will hold talks with the members of the grand jirga and emphasised an expansion in the membership of the existing grand jirga to include stakeholders representing all schools of thought.
According to the declaration, practical measures should be taken to eliminate terrorism and a trust should be established for the families of the victims of terror.
The APC has made it clear that the current and upcoming government will be responsible for implementation of the APC decision.
In the APC declaration, the main ruling Pakistan People Party (PPP) and the leading opposition party, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), assured their complete support for steps taken for the establishment of peace in the country.
Members of various political parties, including the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif and members, Raja Zafar ul Haq and Iqbal Jhagra, the Pakistan Muslim League – Quaid (PML-Q) president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Secretary-General Syed Mushahid Hussain, the Jamaat-i-Islami’s (JI) Munawwar Hassan, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party’s (PKMAP) Mehmood Achakzai and the Awami Muslim League (AML) President Sheikh Rasheed attended the conference.
In his inaugural address to the APC, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that talks with Pakistani Taliban militants would be ineffective unless the military is taken into confidence
The JUI-F chief said that the conference had been called at the behest of the grand tribal jirga. “Peace in the tribal areas is linked to peace in Afghanistan. We should put the past behind us and move forward towards peace talks,” said Fazl.
The JUI-F chief lauded the main ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) for their participation in the APC, however he pointed out that the government had yet to define a clear-cut policy for holding talks with Taliban militants.
Fazl said the tribal chiefs had given him the authority to represent them at the APC in the federal capital. He said that the APC should decide whether the Federally Administered tribal Areas (Fata) should be given the status of a separate province, or if their current status should be maintained.
The PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif in his address reiterated that the government should give positive response to Taliban’s offer for peace.
Nawaz appreciated the sacrifices of tribal elders, they had rendered for the country. He said dialogues, not war bring peace in the world, adding government should take Taliban peace offer seriously.
The PML-N chief congratulated the JUI-F for convening the APC, adding: “We should keep aside our political differences and play our due role in maintaining peace in the country.”
PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain in his addres to APC said that we will try to explore every possible avenue for the establishment of peace in the country. He said no one should doubt the patriotism of tribesmen.
During the conference, JI chief Munawwar Hassan said that every step will be taken for the sake of peace in the country. He said India is interfering in our internal affairs in Balochistan province and added that the government and the army should give a positive response to the Taliban offer of dialogue.
Malik Qadir Khan, the leader of the tribal jirga, remarked that to the outside world, the tribal areas had become synonymous with terrorism.
“The tribal people are peace-loving, this terrorism is is against us. If we are a nuclear power today, then why are we afraid?” said Khan.
PML-Q leader Mushahid Hussain said that if dialogue with India could be pursued, then why not with the Taliban.
PPP president Makhdoom Amin Fahim said all efforts for peace would be supported by his party, adding that a decision should be made which is within the writ of the government, law and constitution. “The PPP itself is a victim of terrorism.”
Meanwhile Aftab Sherpao said talks should be held after the Taliban lay down their arms. While MQM’s Farooq Sattar said peace in Karachi and Balochistan was tied to FATA and there was a need to unite on the national agenda.
DND
