ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan’s prime minister’s office said on Wednesday the government’s talks with the Pakistani Taliban were taking place under the ambit of the constitution and any decision on negotiations with the banned group would be taken with parliament’s approval.
The Pakistani Taliban — known as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or the TTP — are a separate group but allied with the Afghan Taliban, who seized power in Afghanistan last year after US and NATO troops pulled out of the war-ravaged country.
The TTP have carried out some of the bloodiest attacks in Pakistan since 2007 to impose their brand of Shariah law in the country.
Earlier this month, the Pakistani Taliban indefinitely extended a cease-fire with the government, following two days of talks with a delegation of Pakistani tribal elders. The negotiations were facilitated by the Afghan Taliban.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday chaired a meeting on national security which was attended by the country’s civil and military leadership and members of the National Assembly. Talks with the TTP were a main agenda item.
“The meeting was informed that talks are underway with the TTP, facilitated by the Government of Afghanistan, in which a government-led committee comprising civil and military representatives is negotiating within the framework of the Constitution of Pakistan,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said.
“The decision will be made [regarding talks] in the light of the constitution of Pakistan with the approval of Parliament,” the statement added.
Later in the day, Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah held a news conference and announced that PM Sharif would hold an in-camera briefing in parliament to inform legislators of progress in the negotiations.
“Talks would be proceeding under ownership and guidance of parliament. In principle, it has been decided that these talks would be held under the constitution,” the minister said.
Last year, the Pakistan government and the TTP agreed to a cease-fire but talks failed due to a disagreement over the release of TTP prisoners held by Pakistan.