FAISALABAD: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has expressed reservations over the nomination of a committee by the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for holding talks with the government and the procedure the government is following to initiate the dialogue.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, he asked why the Jirga system, which enjoyed the trust of both the Taliban and political parties, was being ignored.
The JUI-F leader expressed surprise over the TTP’s decision to nominate its negotiating team outside of its ranks. “Taliban can nominate anyone outside of their organisation, but this point needs attention.”
JUI-F leader Riaz Durrani stressed the need for using Jirga mechanism for resolving issues with the Taliban and said it would help the TTP convince militants to reach an understanding. Rehmat Khan Wardag, a political leader from tribal background, supported the idea.