Ex-Army Chief Bajwa wanted to resettle TTP members in Pakistan: Shireen Mazari

ISLAMABAD: Senior leader of PTI Dr Shireen Mazari has alleged that former army chief General (R) Qamar Javed Bajwa wanted to “resettle” members of the banned outfit Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the country, following Afghan Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in August 2021.

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She made this revelation during the course of her interview with a private TV channel, content of which is available online.

During the interview, Dr Shireen Mazari said, “Bajwa at one point brought up the matter (of Taliban) — General Faiz was also present at the time — that there are Pakistani nationality families in the TTP who want to return to the country. If they accept the Constitution and lay down their arms, something should be done for some sort of resettlement and talks should be held.”

The PTI leader added a meeting was called as the resettlement suggestion had caused an “immediate reaction from the elected PTI members”.

“It was clearly decided that before initiating a dialogue, a committee will be formed between the elected representatives and the military to form a consensus as our elected people have a lot of reservations.”

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She said the PTI had demanded that first, a consensus should be reached and then a dialogue with the TTP should be initiated, however, the PTI government was ousted after ward and the current government “did not care about what dialogue was to be held with whom”.

The former MNA asserted that the blame for failing to deal with the TTP would “fall not on us but the imported government”. She insisted that Gen Faiz had made a visit “in the beginning to talk to the Afghan government” and not the Taliban.

When asked about PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s demand seeking legal action against Gen Bajwa for alleged violation of the Constitution, Mazari said that the party “had all options open to it”.

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She said, “By the way, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has admitted that when he was the prime minister, there was interference back then as well and Bajwa was not letting him do many things; so, this is nothing new.

“When the Constitution is violated, whichever Article is violated, there is the option to take action against the violator. So, let’s see what the President says.”

When asked if there was a threat given to Imran, Mazari responded, “It has been heard that he gave a lot of threats. I was also present in many meetings [but] I do not want to say anything right now. Everything will come forward at its time.”

She refrained from giving further details saying the PTI cared that “many things are sensitive and confidential for the country” even if Gen Bajwa did not do so. “Do not push us so much that we are forced to tell everything,” she added.

The PTI leader said she knew “whatever used to be said about the United States and India” through what was discussed during parliament briefings.

When asked if the former army chief was in favour of India in any way, Mazari replied, “I would only say that when the proposal surfaced to start trade with India, it was the Cabinet’s decision that until India steps back from its illegal actions of Aug 5, we cannot talk with it.”

When asked further if Gen Bajwa thought the contrary about the trade, she said, “Probably; the proposal did stem from somewhere.”

“Bajwa sahib said himself ‘I had arranged [matters] and a meeting was also being held but then Khan sahib said the meeting of national security advisors could not take place neither trade’,” she added.