Govt not interested in talks with Taliban: Fazl

Yousaf Ali
PESHAWAR: Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman on Saturday said though the Taliban had reposed confidence in the tribal jirga and recognised its efforts, the government’s lethargy in taking sincere steps to resolve the matter would deteriorate the situation.

“The country suffered the worst crisis during the last five years. “Bomb explosions are taking place and even today several precious lives were lost in a blast in Peshawar. We condemn it,” he told reporters after a ceremony here.

Pakistan People’s Party MNA from Kohistan, Mehboobullah, Awami National Party member of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly from Kohistan Sajjadullah, former senator and noted tribal elder Noor Sher Afridi and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Faizullah along with friends and relatives joined the JUI-F on the occasion.

The Maulana said the JUI-F would continue its struggle side by side with the tribal people to calm down the fire in tribal areas and restore peace there. “I don’t know why the government is reluctant to give a go ahead to the jirga. It is not a jirga of merely tribal people, but all the major political parties had approved it,” he remarked.

The leader said the government should give mandate to the jirga and authorise it to start the peace process without any further delay, he remarked. He said the government’s lethargic attitude has caused disappointment among the masses. He said it was the duty of the government to protect the lives and properties of the people.