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India-Pakistan
Pakistani Taliban welcome clerics' call for ceasefire
2013-10-02
[Dawn] Welcoming suggestions of Pak holy mans regarding a ceasefire prior to peace talks, the Pak Taliban Tuesday night announced that they would reconsider their stance if the government was ready for a break in fighting.

Ulema (holy mans) and representatives of various religious seminaries functioning under Wafaqul Madaris had expressed concern
...meaning the brow was mildly wrinkled, the eyebrows drawn slightly together, and a thoughtful expression assumed, not that anything was actually done or indeed that any thought was actually expended...
Monday over the "civil war-like situation" in the country and appealed to both the government and the Taliban to observe a "complete ceasefire" till the completion of the process of talks.

The appeal was made in a joint statement issued after a "consultative meeting" of the Ulema and teachers of seminaries held at a local hotel in Islamabad. It was presided over by Wafaqul Madaris chief Maulana Salimullah Khan.

Speaking to Dawn.com from some holy man's guesthouse an undisclosed location, the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) front man Shahidullah Shahid said the TTP welcomes Ulema's suggestion for a ceasefire.

He, however, claimed it was the government which is launching the offensive against them, saying if it can take the lead in stopping the war, then they were also ready to follow it.

"We are ready to proceed with the APC suggestions and willing to have peace, there is no ill-will to the grinding of the peace processor among the Taliban leadership," he added.

The welcoming gesture of the Talibs can be considered as a major breakthrough for potential peace talks as the TTP front man on Saturday assailed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif
... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
for changing his mind and giving a precondition of laying down weapons, saying his government was not serious about holding the dialogue.

"By telling us that we will have to lay down arms and respect the constitution, the prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, showed that he is following the policy of America and its allies," the front man had said.

About Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf
...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations....
(PTI) chief Imran Khan
... aka Taliban Khan, who is the lightweight's lightweight...
's offer of opening Taliban offices in the settled areas, Shahid said: "We welcome the offer but we feel at this moment there is no need of opening any office any where."

Punjabi Taliban chief Asmatulah Mauvia, in a relevant development, reiterated to hold unconditional talks for peace and said the outfit would respond to the APC offer within three days.

Speaking to Dawn.com, Mauvia said that they were willing for unconditional talks and would respond within the next three days.
Posted by:Fred

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