Talks only under Quran and Sunnah: TTP
08 February, 2014
ISLAMABAD: The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Shahidullah Shahid on Friday made it clear that the talks will be held only under the Quran and Sunnah, arguing that his organisation did not accept any other law.
He said they would not have fought had they accepted any law other than the Shariah. Talking to BBC, the TTP spokesman said the talks with the government were meant to enforce the Shariah.
"We are battling for the Shariah. The talks we are going to hold are also for the Shariah," he said. Shahidullah said they were pondering over the suggestions made by the government and the TTP committee will take further decisions.
Replying to a question about the outcome of the talks, he said: "All issues will be presented to them (TTP committee). It is premature to say anything about it right now."
Asked how talks for the enforcement of Shariah can proceed further after the rejection of existing laws and Constitution of the country, Shahidullah said: "It is a very easy thing. First, all the parties in the talks claim to be Muslims. Pakistan was created in the name of Islam so it is not difficult for any Muslim (to accept Shariah). If we demand enforcement of Shariah in the US, then it is a hard thing because Americans are not Muslims. But these people (parties to talk) call themselves Muslims."
He said the government suggestions were under consideration but he did not want to comment on them now. He said two different groups will make different demands in the talks but "we are satisfied that talks for enforcement of Shariah will succeed."
He said the meeting between the TTP and their representatives was expected within four-five days.
On the refusal of Lal Masjid cleric Abdul Aziz to become a part of the talks, he said Aziz was still their representative and his 'difficulties' will soon be removed. "Maulana Aziz has said nothing wrong," he said.
Maulana Aziz had earlier announced separation from the talks until the inclusion of enforcement of Shariah on the agenda. The Lal Masjid cleric told a press conference on Friday that he will not join the talks until the Shariah enforcement was included in the agenda for the talks. "We have not gone away from the talks but will not become part of the process until the government promises that talks will be held under the Quran and Sunnah, not the Constitution of Pakistan," he said.
Maulana Aziz said he would be a part of the talks if the government promises the enforcement of Shariah. He said he will be a part of the committee as long as the TTP asks him to leave but will not take part in the talks.
It is pertinent to mention here that after the first meeting of representatives of the TTP and the government on Thursday, a statement was issued that talks will be held under the Constitution and their scope will be limited to the affected areas.
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