Interior minister says talks with Pakistani Taliban haven’t begun yet, his ministry not involved

Pakistan's Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed speaks to reporters during a press conference in Islamabad, Pakistan, on October 04, 2021. (Photo courtesy: PID)

• PM Khan said last week groups within the militant conglomerate were willing to negotiate for peace
• Said his government was willing to forgive those who laid down arms, agreed to adhere to constitution

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Monday peace negotiations between the government and the Pakistani Taliban had not yet begun and his ministry was not involved in the talks. 
The Pakistani Taliban, fighting to overthrow the government and install their own brand of Shariah, are an umbrella of militant groups called the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has broken into many divisions.
In an interview with a Turkish broadcaster last week, Prime Minister Imran Khan said some groups within the militant conglomerate were willing to negotiate for peace, and his government would forgive them once they laid down arms. 
It was not clear from the interview who was leading the talks from the Pakistani side, what the TTP’s demands were, and how soon a breakthrough was expected. 
“[Talks] haven’t begun yet. The ministry of Interior has no role in this. If the Taliban are holding any negotiations, then it is not in my notice,” Ahmed said at a press conference in Islamabad. “What outcome is reached in this regard, there’s nothing final yet.” 
Ahmed said such decisions were made at the “highest level” and not by the ministry of interior. He, however, reiterated that talks could only be held with those who would surrender arms and accept the constitution of Pakistan. 
Last month, Pakistani President Dr. Arif Alvi and Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in separate statements, announced that the government was willing to offer a conditional amnesty to the TTP.
Pakistan’s northwestern tribal districts bordering Afghanistan long served as a headquarters for local and foreign militants, but the military has launched several operations in the last decade and a half to flush them out.
The TTP, which is aligned with the Afghan Taliban but acts independently, appears to have regained ground and operability since the fall of Kabul in mid-August, with attacks picking up in recent weeks, particularly in the northwestern and southwestern parts of Pakistan. Most of the assaults have been directed at military and paramilitary forces.
Asked why the TTP was attacking Pakistani security forces while negotiating with the government to secure a settlement, PM Khan told the Turkish broadcaster last week: “I think it was just a spate of attacks, but we are talking. [However,] we might not reach some sort of a conclusion.” 
“I do not believe in military solutions,” he added. “I always believe as a politician that political dialogue is the way ahead.”