Dreaded Pakistani militant faction welcomes talk offer
24 Aug 2013 4:46 AM IST
A dreaded Pakistani Taliban faction on Thursday reacted positively to an offer of negotiations from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif but said the country's foreign policy should be based on Islamic principles. Asmatullah Muawiya, who heads the Punjabi Taliban group and is linked to the deadly Lashkar-e-Jhangvisectarian outfit, said Sharif had demonstrated ‘political maturity’ by showing flexibility. ‘We welcome it...it is possible, said Muawiya, three days after Sharif remarked in a
televised address to the nation that he wants to end the fighting and prefers to do so through talks.’
‘If the present government takes an interest in solving matters seriously and with prudence, then there is no reason why jihadi forces active in Pakistan should not respond to it positively,’ Muawiya said in a statement sent to journalists.
But he said Pakistan's foreign policy should be based on Islamic principles and not ‘American slavery’. He also demanded an end to US drone strikes targeting militants. In the past, the Pakistani Taliban's top leadership have backed statements made by Muawiya.
televised address to the nation that he wants to end the fighting and prefers to do so through talks.’
‘If the present government takes an interest in solving matters seriously and with prudence, then there is no reason why jihadi forces active in Pakistan should not respond to it positively,’ Muawiya said in a statement sent to journalists.
But he said Pakistan's foreign policy should be based on Islamic principles and not ‘American slavery’. He also demanded an end to US drone strikes targeting militants. In the past, the Pakistani Taliban's top leadership have backed statements made by Muawiya.
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