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| Govt rejects Sufi’s plea to halt operation |
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Saturday, May 02, 2009
No breakthrough on Qazis’ appointment as talks resume
By our correspondent
TIMERGARA: The representatives of the NWFP government and the Tehrik Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) failed to reach agreement on the appointment of Qazis in the Malakand Division as talks resumed between the two sides on Friday. Also, the provincial government turned down the plea of TNSM chief Sufi Muhammad to halt the military operation in Lower Dir and Buner districts.
In the talks held at the Timergara Rest House, the provincial government was represented by NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain and central information secretary of the Awami National Party (ANP) Senator Zahid Khan while the TNSM team was led by its chief Maulana Sufi Muhammad. Deputy chief of the organisation Maulana Muhammad Alam, spokesman Amir Izzat Khan and Maulana Samiullah also participated in the talks.
Though little details were provided to the media, it was learnt that the two sides couldn’t reach agreement on the establishment of Darul Qaza for Swat and rest of the Malakand Division. The TNSM had proposed three names for the Qazis of Darul Qaza, including Amir Gulab, Maulana Shamsul Haq Hanif and Mufti Habibullah while the government has drawn a list of another panel of Qazis which they shared with the TNSM. Sufi Muhammad rejected the Qazis nominated by the government as incompetent.
Talking to media persons, Mian Iftikhar said the talks were held in a cordial atmosphere which would bear positive results. To a question, he expressed the hope that they would reach an agreement on the appointment of Qazis in the second round of talks. He said the first round mainly focused on putting an end to continued armed activities and the restoration of peace. Sufi Muhammad urged the military and militants to be peaceful and contribute to ending the volatility and work for peace and the enforcement of Shariah.
Agencies add: Mian Iftikhar said Sufi Muhammad asked us to halt military operation. “The operation will be halted when the armed people lay down their weapons because the government has to establish its writ at any cost,” he added.
When asked about the next round of talks, the minister said: “God willing, the second round of talks will be held tomorrow (Saturday) or day after tomorrow (Sunday) but at an undisclosed location.”
However, Amir Izzat said the government had given assurances that the operation would be stopped in Buner and Lower Dir. “Yes progress has been made in the talks on scores of issues,” he said, adding that Maulana Sufi Muhammad has summoned meeting of the TNSM Shura today (Saturday) at its headquarters Amandarra in Malakand Agency to take Shura members into confidence over the talks with the government team. The people would soon hear good news about peace, he added.
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