Talks possible with PTM if it follows ‘Pakistan’s agenda’, say ministers – Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on the opening day of its autumn session on Monday witnessed a heated debate between Ali Wazir and Mohsin Dawar, independent members of the tribal areas backed by the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) and federal ministers, with The government offer an olive branch for the organization, but with certain conditions.

The offer to the PTM for talks was made by two key members of Prime Minister Imran Khan's cabinet: Defense Minister Pervez Khattak and Interior Minister withdrew Brigadier Ijaz Shah, on the condition that PTM members would only follow the "Pakistan agenda" and would not attack. armed forces in their speeches.

"The army also wants to get out of there [Waziristan]. If your agenda is Pakistan, then I am ready to have conversations with you, ”said Defense Minister Pervez Khattak after the house had already witnessed a verbal fight between Dawar and Communications Minister Murad Saeed.

"However, if you continue to speak against the institution that has guaranteed security and peace in the country, then you will not be heard," Khattak said in his brief speech before allowing President Asad Qaiser to give the floor to the minister of the Interior for making a policy statement.

The National Assembly witnesses a heated debate between ministers and Ali Wazir, Mohsin Dawar

Khattak said the government had previously spoken with the PTM and now for almost a year, they had been asking the organization to come to the negotiating table, but he regretted that the offer was ignored.

"Why don't you talk? If your agenda is something else, then you can't have conversations," the defense minister concluded.

Mr. Dawar and Mr. Wazir, who had been arrested on charges of attacking a military checkpoint in Kharqamar in North Waziristan on May 26, attended the National Assembly after four months. Bannu Bank of the Superior Court of Peshawar granted them bail last week. Wazir had been arrested the same day, while Dawar had turned himself in to police authorities after a few days.

Upon taking the floor, Interior Minister Brig Ijaz Shah said that the incident that took place at the Waziristan checkpoint and the language used by the PTM against the armed forces were "documented."

The minister said that the two MNAs had been arrested by the police since law and order were a provincial matter.

“If you want to become a conventional party, present your demands. Tell us and we will sit with the prime minister, ”he said, remembering that it was Prime Minister Imran Khan who declared that the demands of the PTM were legitimate.

"Nobody chases anyone," said Brig Shah, adding that they were not against any organization.

"Raise the slogan of Pakistan and come with me, we will do what you want," said the minister, amid slogans of some of the opposition members. He said that the tribal areas administered by the federal government (Fata) had already merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and that the areas would develop. He said that the development of tribal areas would be easier if the PTM supported it, otherwise, the areas would develop at any cost.

In response to Dawar's speech in which he criticized some of the ministers for speaking out against them in his absence, Saeed said the government was determined by the development, progress and prosperity of the Waziristan area of ​​Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said that the people of Waziristan wanted the elimination of terrorism and the restoration of lasting peace in the area.

The minister alleged that Dawar and his party had supported the drone attacks in tribal areas, while the prime minister at that time had opposed the drone attacks and the military operation in the area. He said he kept his words that Dawar had connections with the Afghan intelligence agency NDS (National Security Directorate), asking why the NDS had refused to hand over the body of police officer Tahir Dawar to the Pakistani government and handed it over to Mr. Dawar

The Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Khan, also delivered an emotional speech, stating that the PTI, and not the PTM, was the true representative of the Pashtuns. He said that he and his family also became victims of terrorism, but that did not mean that they should attack their own country at the request of others.

The minister criticized the PTM for raising slogans against the armed forces and for banning the flags of Pakistan in its public meetings.

He clarified that Prime Minister Khan's statement on support and training for al Qaeda by Pakistan was cited out of context. He said that those who lived in Pakistan would have to raise slogans of the "Pakistan Army Zindabad" and "Pakistan Zindabad."

Earlier, speaking on a point of order, Dawar denied the charges that they were involved in any attack on the checkpoint. He explained that they had visited the area after receiving reports that people were protesting against security forces for carrying out a search operation and mistreating some of the women. He alleged that 15 people were killed by direct shooting during the protest.

Mr. Dawar said they were facing the case accused of attacking the checkpoint, but against whom the FIR would be registered for the murder of 15 people. He said he had simply asked a question in search of the names of the terrorists who had been killed in Operation Zarb-i-Azb, but had not yet received an answer. He also criticized the media for hiding their activities and presenting a "unilateral image."

He criticized some of the ministers, including Mr. Saeed, for speaking out against them during his absence. He said his loyalty to the state was being questioned, while the time had come for the state to have to show its loyalty to the people. He denied that they were armed when the Kharqamar incident occurred, saying he was ready to be publicly hanged in D-Chowk, if the charge against him was proven.

Posted on Dawn, October 1, 2019