The dreaded militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has offered ceasefire and talks to the new government of Pakistan.
Islamabad, May 16/Nationalturk – With Nawaz Sharif all set to lead next government in Pakistan after winning country’s May 11 general elections, the dreaded militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has offered ceasefire and talks to the new government.
“If Pakistan’s new government takes our dialogue offer seriously and makes some progress, then the group could offer ceasefire,” TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan was quoted as saying by Pakistan’s newspaper Express Tribune over phone from an undisclosed location.
After winning the country’s general elections, Nawaz Sharif, who will be Pakistan’s Prime Minister for third time, had said TTP’s offer for dialogue would be taken seriously by his government.
Ehsan said they have seen Nawaz’s remarks on their offer for talks in media.
Stating that they respect Nawaz’s statement, he said, “TTP would like to reiterate that it is serious in dialogue offer with the government. However, the outgoing rulers (PPP government) had adopted a non-serious approach”.
Possibility of stopping attacks: TTP spokesman
Stating that TTP cannot declare ceasefire now, Ehsan said, “Any such decision would depend on the new government’s approach. However, there could be a possibility of stopping attacks as a goodwill gesture once the new government takes some serious steps.”
The Taliban targeted PPP and other secular parties Awami National Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement – before country’s general election and forced the three parties to curtail their campaigning.
Over 200 people including election candidates and workers of political parties were killed during the election campaign period and on election day in a string of bombings and attacks carried out by TTP militants.
It remains to be seen what would be the response of Nawaz Sharif to latest offer of talks by TTP. Pakistan’s army’s response to the talks offer would also be important because military had rejected earlier talks offer of the militant group.
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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk Pakistan News
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