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Pakistani Taliban call for release of prisoners, withdrawal of troops

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

News Code: 80818249

Islamabad, Sept 16, IRNA - Pakistani Taliban have called for the release of their prisoners and withdrawal of army from the tribal regions that the group says could be major confidence building measures for the possible peace talks.

Taliban set conditions after a parliamentary conference, hosted by the government in Islamabad on September 9, called upon the government to initiate dialogue with the militants.

Taliban spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid, said the group will trust the government’s powers and intention if the Taliban prisoners are freed and the troops are withdrawn from the tribal areas.

“The government should show sincerity and prove its powers ahead of peace talks,” he told the media.

He said a three-day meeting of the central council of the TTP was held with the chief, Hakimullah Mehsud, in the chair, and asked the government to take steps to build trust and to create such an environment to remove doubts.

“We still doubt the government’s powers and its sincerity. Talks will be useful when we realize that the government has powers,” the Taliban spokesman said.

When asked if the government does not accept demands and could be other option, he said there is no other way as the TTP leaders will not agree on any other option.

Political analysts are of the view that the government will not accept the Taliban demands unless the talks are started and make progress.

They are also surprised that on one hand the Taliban are making demands but on the other they continue attacks on Pakistani forces.

They are of the opinion that conditions will make the peace process complicated.

Taliban sources say they have handed over a list of demands to a delegation of the tribal elders and the religious scholars who had approached them on behalf of the government.

The Taliban have also called for general amnesty for all of its activists and that Pakistan must quit the US-led coalition.

Taliban attack on senior army office in the countrys northwest, which resulted in the killing of two senior officers, has prompted strong condemnation across the country.

Analysts believe that such attacks could mount pressure on the government to review plan for talks with the Taliban.

**1422