ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Friday strongly criticized Prime Minister Imran Khan’s statement during an interview in which he said the government was in talks with some factions of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for disarmament.
Taking to Twitter, PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman questioned whether PM Imran had “asked parliament what we think about that”. She also questioned whether the premier had heard the TTP’s response to the government’s offer of reconciliation.
Again the PM wants to give amnesty to the TTP. Has he asked parliament what we think about that ? And has he heard the TTP response ? https://t.co/cGohBLTvkw
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) October 1, 2021
Meanwhile, PPP secretary general Nayyar Bokhari termed the prime minister’s disclosure a “very sensitive statement” and demanded that a session of parliament be called immediately to discuss it.
“The statement of forgiving Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan members is akin to sprinkling salt on the wounds of martyrs’ relatives,” he said. He also pointed out that the parliament had been “bypassed” and called on the government to clarify the terms on which the talks were being held.
“Why were parliament and political parties kept uninformed about negotiations with the TTP?” he questioned, adding that a “negative perception” would be built about Pakistan on the international level because of such steps.
In a separate statement, PPP information secretary Shazia Marri said the party “strongly condemned” such a big step by the government without first taking parliament into confidence. She too termed the prime minister’s statement “very sensitive”.
“On what basis and under what conditions are talks being held with the TTP? Why was the parliament not taken into confidence? Why did the government feel the need to hold secret talks with the TTP in this way?” she asked.
Earlier today, PM Imran said the government would forgive TTP members and they would become normal citizens” if they lay down arms. “We might not reach some sort of conclusion or settlement in the end but we are talking,” he added.
