KHI 11-12-2011_Layout 1 12/11/2011 1:42 AM Page 1
Rs22.00 Vol ii no 164 27 pages Karachi — edition
TTP talking peace with government
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Taliban commander says govt released 145 prisoners as goodwill gesture while militants have pledged a ceasefire Peace agreement, if reached, would first be implemented in Bajaur Agency and later in other parts of tribal areas
pakistantoday.com.pk
Sunday, 11 december, 2011 Muharram-ul-Haram 15, 1433
US working hard to salvage ties with Pakistan WASHINGTON INP
PESHAWAR StAff RePoRt
ONFiRMiNg that talks between the government and militants in Bajaur Agency were underway, deputy leader of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Maulvi Faqir Muhammad on Saturday said both sides were close to an agreement that could be inked shortly. “Our talks with the government are in progress and the process is going ahead smoothly,” Faqir said in a telephonic conversation with reporters in Bajaur. He said upon a successful completion of dialogue, “We will be willing to sign an agreement, which can be extended to rest of the tribal belt after its implementation in Bajaur”. “if negotiations succeed and we are able to sign a peace agreement in Bajaur, then the government and the Taliban of other areas such as Swat, Mohmand, Orakzai and South Waziristan tribal region will sign an agreement. Bajaur will be a role model for other areas.” Faqir said the government had realised that there was no military solution to the conflict. “We have no wish to fight against our own armed forces and destroy our own country,” he said. “There has been development in our peace talks, but the government would have to show more flexibility in its stance, and restore the trust of the Taliban by releasing prisoners and stopping the military operation against them.” Faqir refused to disclose the terms and conditions for the agreement, but he expressed satisfaction over the recent shift in government’s policies towards the US. Continued on page 04
A complete lunar eclipse was witnessed across Pakistan on Saturday.
The United States on Saturday said it was working hard to get back to work with Pakistan. “This relationship is complicated. But it’s also essential to both the United States and Pakistan. We are working very hard to keep open channels and to get back to work together,” State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters. The US officials have been in constant contact with their counterparts in Pakistan, the latest being the meeting between the US ambassador to Pakistan, Cameron Munter with Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar.“We are continuing our intensive engagement. Obviously we are both trying to roll up our sleeves and get back to work together,” Nuland said. She said there was no reason to believe that the Dubai visit of President Asif Ali Zardari had anything to do with other than his health issue.
Nawaz promises he will trace Benazir’s killers LARKANA StAff RePoRt/oNlINe
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) President Nawaz Sharif on Saturday hit hard at the Pakistan People’s Party for not bringing killers of its own former chairwoman Benazir Bhutto to book. Addressing a public gathering in PPP’s stronghold Larkana on Saturday, Nawaz vowed that he would bring the assassins of Benazir to justice. Nawaz said those who ran away leaving Benazir’s body behind
had now become advisers and ministers. He said the incumbent ministers and advisers had nothing to do with Benazir’s PPP. Recalling the day of Benazir’s assassination, he said he was greatly saddened by her death and that PPP workers on the occasion had appealed him to make efforts to ensure the arrest of the killers. Nawaz paid homage to Benazir and said he was greatly saddened over the martyrdom of the PPP chairperson, as he considered her sister. He said those who were not able to arrest the killers
of its own chief could hardly bring dacoits and looters to justice. Continued on page 04