APC is 'old wine in a new bottle': TTP
16 February, 2013
PESHAWAR: The Pakistani Taliban on Friday rejected an offer of peace talks coming out of an all-parties conference called by the Awami National Party. The contents of the APC declaration are 'old wine in a new bottle', said Ehsanullah Ehsan, spokesman for the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan. "The Taliban are still waiting for a serious and meaningful response to peace talks offer from the Pakistani government and the military," said Ehsan, reading out a statement issued after a key meeting of their shura. "The non-participation of the Jamaat-i-Islami in the APC is also a clear indication that it was a failure," he added. "This ANP-sponsored offer of talks is just the party's election agenda," said Ehsan. He said there was no roadmap for peace talks in the joint statement issued after the conference. Ehsan added that the offer of the TTP to hold talks with the government was still valid however recent statements made by Interior Minister Rehman Malik may prove to be detrimental. When asked about attacks still being launched by the TTP, Ehsan replied there had been no agreement on a ceasefire yet, further adding that operations were also being conducted by the government. On Thursday, the APC called by the ANP and attended by 24 political parties said first priority should be given to peace talks with the Taliban. A joint statement issued at the end of the conference said that militancy was an issue for the entire country, not for just one party. The statement further stressed that the elimination of terrorism was essential to ensure prosperity in Pakistan. End.
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