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ISLAMABAD: Maulana Samiul Haq, known as the father of the Taliban, on Saturday said that he could help strike a peace deal between the Taliban and the government of Pakistan but hurriedly added that he would get into this tricky business only if the incoming government and the army are on the same page and remain firm for a negotiated solution to the problem of terrorism and extremism, despite a possible US backlash.
Talking to The News from Akora Khattak on phone, the Maulana said that any division between the army and the civilian leadership on the option of a negotiated solution with the Taliban, would mean no dialogue, no peace. He said that for a meaningful peace dialogue the civilian governments (the incoming Nawaz Sharif government at the Centre and PTIs in KPK) and the army would have to be on the same page besides showing their firmness that they would not dither or backtrack even an inch from the dialogue process even if the US later exerts pressure.
Maulana Samiul Haq, who has already been approached by the PML-N and the PTI to help them in the negotiated solution of the menace of terrorism, said that so far he has not moved despite getting positive signals from the Taliban side as well. He said that this is a very tricky business and requires sincerity and conviction from all parties concerned.
Unless he is satisfied that the government and the army are sincere and firm to pursue the dialogue process, he said, he would not get involved in it. Maulana Samiul Haq is confident about his influence on the Taliban both local and the Afghan and assured that he would even talk to the top Taliban leader Mulla Omar, whom he terms as the Amirul Momineen, for the required assurances on behalf of the Taliban.
Maulana Samiul Haq, who is a religious scholar and is known for his close ties with the Taliban, warned that if the civilian leadership (the Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan governments) and the army do not reach an agreement on reaching a negotiated solution it would neither help initiate the peace process nor would it be good for the civilian-military relationship.
He feared that once the government of Nawaz Sharif decides to initiate the peace dialogue with Taliban, Washington may bring pressure on Islamabad to sabotage the peace process. In such a situation if Nawaz Sharif dithers, he said, it would be very dangerous and may further deteriorate the situation.
He said that the PML-N top leader Nawaz Sharif has conveyed to him through Salim Saifullah that Sharif wants to play his role to give peace a chance. He said that the same day when he received Nawaz Sharifs message, he was visited by the top PTI KPK leadership including the chief minister in-waiting Pervez Khattak for the same purpose.
Maulana Samiul Haq said that Khattak has assured him that the KPK assembly would adopt a resolution against drone attacks besides demanding of the federal government to get Pakistan out of the US war on terror.
PML-N, PTI approach Samiul Haq for deal with Taliban - thenews.com.pk