SPY EYES

Awami National Party leader Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the acceptance of the constitution of the country and supremacy of the parliament by the Taliban is a good oman.

Talking to Radio Pakistan, he said the 1973 constitution was accepted by all religious and political parties of the country and there is no doubt about its Islamic spirit which was duly accepted and recognized by ulema, religious scholars and political leaders.

However he stressed the need to keep the parliament abreast of the developments about the Taliban-Government talks.

“If government does not make the process public, it should at least keep Parliament abreast with the talks”.

Analyst, Prof. Dr. Shaheen Akhtar said overall environment seems conducive for talks that would pave the way for stability in the country.

“Stability in Pakistan is also in favour of Afghanistan”, he remarked.

He said any agreement outside the Constitution of Pakistan will be difficult to implement. “Despite failure of talks with Taliban in the past, I am hopeful that this time talks will be successful.

PML-N leader Siddique-ul-Farooq said that “Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is trying its best to settle issues within the parameters of the constitution. It is good that two members of Taliban Committee Maulana Sami ul Haq and Professor Ibrahim have given some positive signals.”

He said the Prime Minister should not be held responsible for war against terrorism because it was started by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf, who had abrogated the constitution of Pakistan.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Faisal Karim Kundi said his party alongwith other political forces empowered government in APC to hold talks with Taliban, but the govt took six months to initiate the process.

“Our prayers and good wishes are with the government and we want peace. We do not want a military operation in Waziristan,” he said.

PTI leader Asma Ihsan also said that her party supports the govt-Taliban dialogue. “We support Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in this regard. I do not think Pakistan can move towards peace and development without elimination of terrorism.”

She said the priority of the Taliban should be peace, after which government and Taliban can negotiate other demands within the constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

She clarified that Imran Khan does not represent Taliban and added that the issue of terrorism should be resolved at the earliest.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader Fareed Ahmad Paracha said a JI member, Professor Ibrahim, is actively taking part in the peace process.

He said enforcement of Shariah is guaranteed in the Constitution of Pakistan. “In my opinion, 1973 Constitution of Pakistan is Islamic. We should be positive and expect the success of the talks for the betterment of the country and its people,” he observed.

By Parvez Jabri
BUSINESS RECORDER