ISLAMABAD: Maulana Abdul Aziz, a part of the Taliban three-member team for negotiations with the government committee and Lal Masjid cleric, would likely to remain as part of the Taliban peace committee, Maulana Yousuf Shah said on Saturday.
On Friday, Maulana Aziz at a press conference in Islamabad rejected a condition set by the government of holding peace talks within the parameters of the constitution, saying that he would no longer take part in negotiations between the two sides until the condition of imposing Islamic laws was made part of the dialogue.
His announcement came a day after the negotiators from the government and the Taliban issued a joint statement after holding a first round of peace talks in Islamabad, and decided to continue dialogue process within the framework of Pakistan’s constitution.
Maulana Yousuf Shah, who acts as contact person for the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), said that following his announcement to withdraw from the committee, another member of the TTP committee and Jamiat Uleme e Islama – Sami (JUI-S) leader Maulana Samiul Haq contacted Maulana Aziz.
Shah further said the no time or venue had yet been decided for a meeting with the TTP leadership, adding that the committee could also seek assistance from the federal government in arranging for it.
Moreover, he said that after having met with the TTP leadership, the negotiators would put forth their point of view before government negotiators.
