ANP All Parties Conference has no significance: TTP spokesman

ISLAMABAD: Tehreek-e-Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan has stated that the All Parties Conference (APC) called by the Awami National Party to discuss the issue of terrorism has no significance.

Speaking to senior journalist Saleem Saifi on Geo News program ‘Jirga’ the TTP spokesman termed the APC as part of an election move. He said there was no roadmap for peace talks in the joint statement issued after the conference. “We are still waiting for a serious response from the Pakistani government,” Ehsan said.

Ehsan also stated that the non attendance of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) indicated that the APC had been a failure. Ehsan added that the offer of the TTP to hold talks with the government was still valid however recent statements made by Interior Minister Rehman Malik may prove to be detrimental.

When asked about attacks still being launched by the TTP, Ehsan replied there had been no agreement on a ceasefire yet, further adding that operations were also being conducted by the government.

On Thursday, the APC called by the ANP and attended by 24 political parties said first priority should be given peace talks with the Taliban. A joint statement issued at the end of the conference said that militancy was an issue for the entire country not for just one party.

The statement further stressed that the elimination of terrorism was essential to ensure prosperity in Pakistan. Furthermore, the issue of terrorism should be resolved according to the law and constitution of Pakistan.