ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – The Taliban government vowed to continue being a mediator between the Pakistani government and its local insurgent group TTP, according to sources, aiming to ensure regional peace and stability.
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban, is an umbrella organization of various Islamist armed militant groups operating along the Afghan–Pakistani border, the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“Based on its main and permanent policy of supporting security and stability in the region, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has continued to mediate between the Pakistani government and the Tehrik-i-Taliban and is still continuing its efforts and hopes for good results,” said Inamullah Samangani, a spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, as TOLOnews quoted.
On Wednesday, Pakistani government sent a 50-member delegation of tribal leaders to Kabul to negotiate a ceasefire with Tehrik-i-Taliban, as the so-called Islamic Emirate played vital role as a mediator.
The TTP insurgency has been centered in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bordering Afghanistan, which the group demand to be free from Pakistani army. The group also seek the release of its over 100 members, including elders, who are imprisoned by the Pakistani government.
“They want the release of all their prisoners (102 prisoners). They mentioned this at the beginning of the talks that include their elders,” said Tahir Khan, a Pakistani reporter, according to the local media. They also called for the reverse of the cases that have been forged against them.”
In recent months, the Islamic Emirate has mediated several talks between the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and the Pakistani government, as the tribal elders confirmed their latest trip to Kabul intended to agree on an extended ceasefire.
“Pakistan wants to give the group international credibility and then use the talks as a bargaining chip to lift international sanctions against the group if it agrees,” said Asadullah Nadim, an analyst on military affairs.
Who are Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)?
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban is an umbrella organization of various Islamist armed militant groups operating along the Afghan–Pakistani border, now the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Formed in 2007 by Baitullah Mehsud, its current leader is Noor Wali Mehsud, who has publicly pledged allegiance to the Afghan Taliban (known as Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan). The Pakistani Taliban share a common ideology with the Afghan Taliban and have assisted them in the 2001–2021 war, but the two groups have separate operation and command structures.
Over the past 14 years, the TTP has been behind numerous attacks in Pakistan and has long fought for stricter enforcement of Islamic laws in the country, the release of their members who are in government custody and a reduction of Pakistani military presence in the country’s former tribal regions.
The post Pakistan Seeks Kabul Mediation to Negotiate with TTP appeared first on The Khaama Press News Agency.
Source: The Khaama Press News Agency
