Web Desk ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday announced to constitute a four-member committee to hold talks with the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) – a first major initiative from the government to end terrorism in the country without further bloodshed. Addressing the National Assembly, he said that he wanted to give peace one more chance, adding he has constituted a committee in this regard. PM Sharif announced that Major (retd) Mohammad Amir, Irfan Siddiqui, Rahimullah Yusufzai and Rustam Shah Mohmand will be in the committee, adding he will personally supervise the committee. The prime minister said that he wants to end terrorism in the country whether this is through dialogues or through military operation. He thanked political parties which mandated the government to tackle the issue by negotiating with Taliban. At the outset, PM Sharif said providing safety to people is government’s responsibility adding terrorism is against the spirit of Islam. He said that the country is facing menace of terrorism since last 14 years as a result of a bad decision by a military ruler. PM Sharif said that the government had made sincere efforts to hold talks with terror elements following an all parties conference. But, he added, these elements refused to hold talks and continued their attacks on the armed forces and civilians. Who is Who in the Committee: Rustam Shah Mohmand: He is specialist of Afghanistan and central Asian Affairs and a renowned security analyst. He has also served as High commissioner of Pakistan to Afghanistan. Rahimullah Yusufzai: He is a Peshawar-based senior journalist who covers events in the NWFP, FATA, Balochistan and Afghanistan. He is regarded as a specialist of Afghan affairs. Irfan Siddiqui: He is a noted columnist and analyst. He is recently appointed as Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Affairs Major (retd) M Amir: He is a son of a renowned Islamic scholar. He had earlier been tasked with negotiating with the militants during Musharraf government. Current TTP head Mullah Fazlullah used to consider Major Amir’s father as his teacher. – SAMAA
Posted on: Wed, 29 Jan 2014 14:13:10 +0000
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