I think that mufsideen have never been a coherent group. They loosely follow some guidelines but the decisions are taken by each group themselves. This is why Col Imam, who helped created Taliban, was himself killed by them. He didn’t see it coming.
I would like to know ANY rumor of ANY deal that government was willing to present to Taliban.
If government was not willing to surrender then why is it so secretive in letting know Pakistanis WHAT they were planning to do with Taliban?
where is Fazlullah based? why did US vacate their posts in Eastern Afghanistan when Pakistan carried out operations in Swat/Mohmand?
How come Fazlullah is operating freely in Afghanistan (where US/NATO’s forces are stationed)? Drones can locate HuM, Waliur Rehman and Baitullah, but not Fazlullah?
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Fazlullah means blessings of God. Whereas we know that he is a curse on the country. I would suggest to my friends on GS to avoid attaching such a beautiful name to this rascal. He already has got a nick which should be used to refer to him — Radio.
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My two cents:
• By choosing Radio as TTP head, the shura has given unambiguous signals to the state of Pakistan about its intentions that it is not looking for any peaceful settlment, neither in the interest of people of Fata, nor for the Pakistani nation or state in general.
• Radio had recently owned the killing of General Niazi, apart from a series of killings in Swat and elsewhere. So Pakistan military will never allow the state to talk to Radio. The general opinion is also heavily against Radio. Media will also create its own pressure on any move to go ahead with any peace talk with Radio.
• Radio has already rejected talks option and, in a way, he has made it easy for the pro-talk forces to look for an alternative.
• Pakistan had recently asked the US about taking out Radio. The US in returned asked for information about the whereabouts of Radio. It was a totally non-serious reply to the request of Pakistan. Islamabad needs to contact the US at the highest level to get Radio before he gets into action and more blood is shed on the streets of Pakistan.
• Afghanistan will never cooperate with Pakistan on the issue, unless we can trade some bargaing chips with them.
The ball is clearly in Pakistan’s court. It must ask the US to help it get Radio. Washington will need to show the clarity of its intention more than ever.
I am wondering how PTI will react to this new development? Imran Khan needs to reassess its position on talks with the TTP and align it with the general vibes in the country.
The recent events have thrown negotiations out of the window, now KPK needs to beef up its security and the federal government should remain prepared to take on the militants militarily.