ISLAMABAD: It would be beneficial for peace talks if new intermediary committees were made, chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI), Maulana Samiul Haq told media in Islamabad on Thursday.
Haq is also heading the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) intermediary committee. The two peace talks committees met Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad to discuss how to proceed with negotiations.
TTP intermediaries Haq, Professor Ibrahim and Maulana Yousuf Shah, all four members of the government committee as well as Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan were present at the meeting.
According to sources, it was decided during the meeting that the number of committee members will be increased and stakeholders will be included in peace talks as well. It was reported that a new government committee will be formed for peace negotiations.
The JUI-S chief stated that the meeting with the premier was constructive and PM Nawaz appreciated the efforts of both committees with regards to peace negotiations.
“Nawaz said that he will try not to conduct a military operation,” Haq stated. He further stated that now was time to make decisions and hopefully matters will be resolved as the intermediary committees have opened the door for negotiations.
In response to a question, Haq added that a trip to Waziristan will be organised in a day or two. He reiterated his stance against the “third force” saying that it should be identified and the government and the TTP should work together to unveil them.
Humanitarian obligation Coordinator of the government committee Irfan Siddiqi, while talking to the media in Islamabad, stated that one of the government intermediaries will meet the TTP political shura.
