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| India-Pakistan |
| TTP negotiator rejects peace talks under constitution |
| 2014-02-08 |
| [DAWN] A member of the team of negotiators representing the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain in peace talks with the Pak government has expressed his reservations over the dialogue, saying he won't be part of further negotiations. Talks to end the bully boys' bloody seven-year insurgency formally kicked off Thursday between a four-member government committee and a three-man Taliban team, amid much scepticism over whether dialogue can yield a lasting peace deal. The first round of talks ended with both sides charting a roadmap for future negotiations, with the government team proposing that the peace talk be pursued within the framework of the constitution of Pakistain. However, man does not live by words alone, despite the fact that sometimes he has to eat them... Maulana Abdul Aziz urged the government on Friday to remove the condition of holding talks under the constitution. "There would be no problems if our constitution were the Koran and Sunnah. But the Taliban say they do not recognise the prevailing constitution," Aziz told a presser in Islamabad. "The people should not be misled into believing that our constitution is Islamic." Aziz, who rose to prominence during the 2007 military operation in Islamabad's Lal Masjid where he is the chief holy man, said Pakistain's constitution should be replaced by the teachings of the Koran and the Holy Prophet (PTUI!). "That should be the law in Pakistain and until the committee brings this point on the agenda I won't be part of negotiations," he told news hounds. He said he would remain part of the TTP's three-man delegation led by fellow holy man Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, unless told otherwise, but would not come to the negotiating table. "I won't participate in talks until they include a clause about the imposition of Islamic law," he said. Aziz's move threatens to further undermine the talks -- the government side has already voiced doubts about the composition and authority of the TTP's representatives. The government delegation skipped an initial meeting on Tuesday citing confusion over the bully boys' team after two members pulled out. |
| Posted by:Fred |