-Says the aim of negotiations is to disarm the proscribed group
-Reiterates firm stance of anti-military solutions to issues
-Links pardon to TTP with success of talks
-Says World’s positive messages to help prevent Afghan instability, refugees’ mass exodus
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is in disarmament talks with some factions of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Prime Minister Imran Khan has said, as the government seeks stability in the country in the backdrop of a fast evolving situation in Afghanistan.
PM Imran Khan, speaking to TRT World’s Ali Mustafa in Islamabad, said: “I think some of the Pakistani Taliban groups actually want to talk to our government. You know, for some peace, for some reconciliation.”
When asked to confirm whether Pakistan is actually in talks with the TTP, the premier clarified to say that talks are ongoing “with some of them”. He said that the Afghan Taliban are “helping”, in the sense that the talks are taking place in Afghanistan.
The premier said that these talks, for disarmament, if successful, will lead to the government “forgiving” them, “and then they will become normal citizens”.
Stressing that he does expect for some sort of deal to emerge with the TTP, he said: “I do not believe in military solutions. I am anti-military solutions.
So I always believe that you know, as a politician, political dialogue is the way forward, which I always believed was the case in Afghanistan with the US.”
The premier noted he always believed that a non-military solution was the only way forward for Afghanistan, and he has reiterated it time and again on national, international forums.
The Afghan Taliban took over Kabul in mid-August, and since then, the country remains in turmoil, with Pakistan continuously urging the international community to support the newly-formed government in a bid to avert a humanitarian crisis, which might led to instability in the region.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday said that the positive messages and constructive measures by the international community would help prevent instability in Afghanistan and mass exodus of refugees. The prime minister, in a meeting with Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod, who called on him here, said that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was vitally important for Pakistan and the region.
He recalled his earlier conversation with Prime Minister of Denmark Mette Fredericksen and said that they had a fruitful exchange of views on the situation in Afghanistan as well as bilateral relations.
The prime minister stressed the need for international community’s constructive engagement to prevent humanitarian crisis and economic collapse in Afghanistan and to help build durable peace and stability in the country.
The prime minister underlined that an inclusive political structure was important for stability of Afghanistan. He expressed satisfaction at the growing cooperation between the two countries.
He added that Pakistan was committed to further diversify bilateral cooperation in the areas of trade and investment and renewable energy besides increasing people-to-people contacts between the two countries.
There was detailed exchange of views on climate change and the need for concerted efforts by the international community to mitigate its adverse effects.
The Danish foreign minister appreciated Prime Minister’s 10 billion tree initiative and a range of measures taken by Pakistan towards climate resilient development.
The prime minister also underscored the significance of mobilizing scaled up and predictable international climate finance to support climate actions in the developing countries.
Jeppe Kofod conveyed gratitude of Danish government for Pakistan’s support and facilitation for evacuation of their nationals and others from Afghanistan.
He also reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to further strengthen bilateral ties and briefed on cooperation between the two countries, including through the proposed Green Partnership Agreement.
