Islamabad 12 August : The Pakistan government is currently preparing an “contingency strategy” to address with the possibility of a revival of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terror group following reports that suggested the banned outfit was attempting to come back sources claimed. While the government has been having discussions with TTP TTP for months to negotiate some sort of agreement, the chances of any agreement are not good, sources have told The Express Tribune.
On Wednesday the Defense Minister Khawaja Asif expressed his apprehensions about the outcome of the talks as Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan Ambassador Muhammad Sadiq had admitted the peace process was in an “nascent phase”.
There are the reports of certain Taliban fighters being observed in the Swat valley authorities are working on an “contingency strategy” to take on with the threat of militants in the event that talks with the TTP failed.
Authorities haven’t closed the door of discussions with the TTP but they are prepared to take on with any scenario, The Express Tribune reported.
Sources claimed that the primary reason Pakistan began discussions with the TTP was because the Afghan Taliban were hesitant to take actions military against the group.
Instead the interim Afghan Taliban government was eager for Pakistan as well as the TTP to settle their disagreements through talks.
Pakistan began negotiations with the TTP not out of preference but out of pressure according to the sources.
In one of the briefings in camera that were given to MPs, military’s leadership had stated that talks were in the beginning stages and any agreement with the TTP will be strictly in conformity with the Constitution as well as the law.
It is believed Pakistan is seeking to exhaust all options before deciding to take any other options to take on the challenge with threats of the TTP.
The Afghan Taliban government is in a bind because it is hesitant to adopt any measures against the TTP but recognizes the importance of Pakistan, Express Tribune reported.
In the wake of the recent killing of Al Qaeda chief Aymen-Al-Zawahiri in Kabul The Taliban government in Afghanistan is now under greater pressure to end connections to terrorist organizations.
Zawahiri’s death has weakened the chances of the Taliban being recognized in the near future.
If the problem of the TTP is not addressed The Taliban might be at odds with Pakistan which is their main advocate in seeking legitimacy for the present Kabul government.in Kabul, The Express Tribune stated.
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