TTP extends ceasefire till May 30 after 'successful' talks

TTP extends ceasefire till May 30 after 'successful' talks​

Demands release of commanders, general amnesty to families of fighters, end to operations in Waziristan

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Our CorrespondentMay 18, 2022

File photo of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan militants. PHOTO: REUTERS

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PESHAWAR: The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has agreed to extend the ceasefire with Pakistan till May 30 following a meeting with a Pakistani delegation led by Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Faiz Hameed at Kabul’s Serena Hotel this week.

In addition to the Pakistani military delegation that included officials of the Military Intelligence (MI) and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the terror outfit also held talks with Mehsud and Malakand jirgas to reach a peace deal amid an increase in terror incidents in the tribal districts bordering Afghanistan.

Sources close to the development told The Express Tribune that Gen Hameed-led delegation held direct talks with the TTP top leadership on the assurances of the Haqqani Network. “The Pakistani military and later the Mesud and Malakand jirgas have held separate meetings in the compound since Monday,” the sources added.

In its meeting with the military leadership, the Taliban put forth a series of demands in exchange for a ceasefire. The Taliban's demands included the release of their commanders, including the mid-stage commanders facing life terms and death sentences, financial support to militants repatriated from Afghanistan, and a general amnesty for the families of the Taliban fighters.

Read Afghan Taliban push for Pakistan-TTP peace deal

The Taliban also demanded an end to military operations in North and South Waziristan tribal districts along with an end to search operations in the merged tribal districts. The Pakistani military told the Taliban to cease cross-border attacks, extend the ceasefire, and let the fencing along the Pak-Afghan border continue.

Similarly, a 32-member delegation of the Mehsud tribe met the TTP leadership in Khost. The meeting also included a 16-member committee comprising representatives from other districts to take up their demands with the TTP.

It may be noted here that on May 7 a grand jirga in South Waziristan formed a 35-member committee to broker talks between the army and the TTP. The army had given a deadline to the Mehsud tribe to evacuate the area so that they could conduct an operation.

TTP spokesperson confirms meetings

TTP spokesman Muhammad Khurasani acknowledged the meetings and disclosed that on demands of the tribal elders the ceasefire with the Pakistani forces had been extended to May 30.

On May 10, the TTP announced a five-day extension in the ceasefire reached between the Pakistan Army and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on account of Eidul Fitr.

The TTP had also warned its fighters against defying the order, directing them to avoid skirmishes with security forces till further orders.

TTP extends ceasefire till May 30 after 'successful' talks | The Express Tribune

Demands release of commanders, general amnesty to families of fighters, end to operations in Waziristan

tribune.com.pk

 

[araz]

@araz

Sir, your opinions regarding this?

You can give me another negative rating but my initial post where you gave me a negative rating was absolutely justified at this juncture.

You may call this negotiation but I call it as Pakistan Army throwing up their hands and surrendering.

My brother.
I would say wait for some concrete news. Some of the demands are not possible at all. You cannot undo the starus of Gilgit Baltistan as a state. Also the army cannot be asked to return from FATA as it has established bases there which have defence implications. They can ask to have all cases dropped. The govtt has just given itself an NRO ka teeka so why not the TTP. They have a right to want sharia in their region as our court system sucks royally . But you just cannot take away the writ of the state.
In short we need to wait and see what is actually announced. The army is in a commanding situation so will not give too much ground as it negotiates from a position of power.
A

 

[firohot4321]

You are incorrect on multiple counts.
The dynamics of the US and our war were different but the outcomes will be the same if we do not realize what the issues are.
The US MO was to clear an area and employ their own goons to rule it. It did not work as you replaced one sets of goons with another. All the first lot did was to move out of the area,regroup and make opportunist hits. The US goons just collected as much money and ammo as they could and at the crunch time deserted their posts and left for their lands with their loot.
The PA cleared the lands only as the migration of Taliban began with the announcement of intended operation.They were provided with an exit route (I am sure this was intentional as the US was not cooperating with us). We then evacuated the populace and scorched the earth followed by clearance of the rag tag left behind and resettlement and rebuilding. However as can be seen the operation remains incomplete. Now join the chains of the current set of negotiations and you will see what the PA is trying to do.
Explore your options NOW.
A. Take the war into Afghanistan which will increase the hatred against Pakistan and result in cross border terrorism. The Pathan tradition is to take revenge so each shooting results in 5 more desperadoes willing to sacrifice their lives to take revenge on the PA.
B. Stop food supplies to Afghanistan and demand handing over of the TTP who can be shot as they are handed over. This creates a mammoth headache on the narrative front as the world and their aunts will cry out about racial hatred, persecution, lack of trial etc. Plus the revenge factor.
C. Nuke Afghanistan into oblivion, and take over the 60km corridor to connect to the central asian countries. IN SHORT THIS WOULD BE MADNESS.
D. Negotiate.
So the next question is what does one negotiate for??
I think the negotiations will progress on the following lines.
1. An assurance there will be no firing cross border. In short cross border peace
2. The fence will be completed . The elephant in the room has been hidden amongst all the leniency. Our failure has always been not in waging war against these insurgents but in preventing their retreat and regrouping. If the US had helped us in the first operation we would have been rid of this nuisance once and for all.
3. 6-8 designated areas for cross border barter trade
4. The Taliban will be the guarantors of this peace and Pakistan will continue to support the government in exchange.
5. No other nation will be allowed to fuse Afghan soil for cross border terrorism in Pakistan. Similar arrangements from Pakistan side.
6. Means of how cross border activities will be dealt with by both sides.
7. Release of prisoners. THESE WILL BE HANDED OVER AT THE PAK AFGHAN BORDER and will take and oathNEVER to return to Pakistan/ indulge in war against Pakistan. If they are found in Pakistan they will be shot on sight.
8. Release of families of fighters and allowing/facilitating their safe transit into Afghanistan NEVER to return to Pakistan.
9. Development of roads and highways so central Asia gets connected to CPEC highways to initiate trade. Similarly agreement on setting up gas pipelines for transit of gas to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
10. Steps to allow the Chinese to set up agro zones making Afghanistan independent of outside help for food. I am sure this can be done and should be done to allow the Afghans to grow their own food. This maybe a 5-10 year plan but food independence decreases pressures on Pakistan to support them. Areas around River Kabul can be used for this purpose.

A

Too good to be true
But I hope it is

 

[lastofthepatriots]

Sindhu desh and BLA would be so happy. If TTP can do it then why can’t we?

As long as they stay out of DHA and cant, so bismillah.

Protectors of the state...bwhahahaha

@Zaki

My brother.
I would say wait for some concrete news. Some of the demands are not possible at all. You cannot undo the starus of Gilgit Baltistan as a state. Also the army cannot be asked to return from FATA as it has established bases there which have defence implications. They can ask to have all cases dropped. The govtt has just given itself an NRO ka teeka so why not the TTP. They have a right to want sharia in their region as our court system sucks royally . But you just cannot take away the writ of the state.
In short we need to wait and see what is actually announced. The army is in a commanding situation so will not give too much ground as it negotiates from a position of power.
A

Agreed. I will be waiting to see what concessions are allowed. But I am against any negotiation with TTP whatsoever. It’s like the frog asking the scorpion not to sting him. Absolute insanity to expect different results when they have negotiated with the TTP in the past and for that got the Swat situation in return.

 

[Azog]

My brother.
I would say wait for some concrete news. Some of the demands are not possible at all. You cannot undo the starus of Gilgit Baltistan as a state. Also the army cannot be asked to return from FATA as it has established bases there which have defence implications. They can ask to have all cases dropped. The govtt has just given itself an NRO ka teeka so why not the TTP. They have a right to want sharia in their region as our court system sucks royally . But you just cannot take away the writ of the state.
In short we need to wait and see what is actually announced. The army is in a commanding situation so will not give too much ground as it negotiates from a position of power.
A

You can’t have two systems in one country. It can never work.

 

[PakAlp]

Pakistanis will still claim Afghan Taliban have no links with TTP?
Why Afghan Taliban are in these talks why they not eliminating them?

So, 80+ thousands killed by TTP on instructions of Afghan Taliban
Where are mods of pdf who were celebrating the victory of Afghan Taliban?

Afghan Taliban instead elimination of TTP, want dialogue,
Sri Lanka and Tamil Tigers peace dialogue were successful, when Tamil Tigers surrendered.

I can give guarantee these dialogues are waste of time, and will not successful in long term, they will fk you,

They want their army, their govt, their judiciary, their rules in Pakistan like Afghan Taliban in Afghanistan,

https://twitter.com/x/status/1526813493135290368

The problem is alot deeper. Pakistan has deep links with an ideology that was promoted during Afghan war against Russia. Ask ex clean shaven generals and they will openly praise Afghan Taliban/Haqqanis as mujahdeens. TTP is the same as them except they want power in the tribal areas and removal of all Pakistani soldiers from them areas. TTP swore allegiance to Afghan Taliban/Haqqanis, they will protect them, fight for them, give sanctuaries if any future attack takes place against Afghanistan Taliban government.

 

[EternalMortal]

more details. btw these guys are fairly credible but as araz said, wait for the official announcement to see what exactly is the final agreement, if any.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1530003653460885521

https://twitter.com/x/status/1530003655549657088

full video:

 

[araz]

You can’t have two systems in one country. It can never work.

We have always had 2 systems in Pakistan. One for the rich and another for the rest. Tbe rich want the West to descend along with tbe rising sun while the poor awam are crying under the strain of the system. The FATA has run with Pakhtun Wali while the rest has hovered in a confused mess between martial law and parliamentary form of governance. The Baluchis have a law onto themselves. This is a land of dichotomies. Everything goes.
A

 

[ziaulislam]

MRAPS DRONES AND NEGOTIATIONS

it has to be three prong policy

 

[EternalMortal]

Talks seem to be at an advanced stage. Status of ex-FATA seems to be a major sticking point.