Maulana Yousaf Shah, from Haqqania madrasa, has indicated that negotiations between Pakistan and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are set to resume, contingent on approval from Taliban leaders in Kandahar and the group's Interior Minister.
These remarks were made in the context of the Afghan Taliban's instructions to the TTP to reinitiate dialogue with Islamabad.
According to The Express Tribune, which cited its sources, Pakistan has enlisted the help of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Sami ul Haq faction, leveraging its influence to persuade the Pakistani Taliban to reengage in negotiations.
Maulana Yousaf Shah, representing Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, conveyed to The Express Tribune about the discussions that acknowledging their autonomy in decision-making, they have commenced the dialogue. “We are hopeful that with Sirajuddin Haqqani's endorsement and the backing of the Kandahari Taliban, we will reach a favourable conclusion,” he added.
Shah also mentioned his involvement, alongside others, in dialogues with the TTP during Faiz Hameed's tenure as the chief of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI.
He further asserted that a peaceful resolution and bringing the Pakistani Taliban to the negotiation table are feasible with the goodwill of both parties and mutual support for the dialogue process.
Another Haqqania madrasa representative informed The Express Tribune that with the assistance of the Taliban's Interior Minister and Islamabad's backing, the TTP is expected to engage in negotiations.
The Express Tribune has disclosed that the Kandahar Taliban and the Haqqani network have encouraged the Pakistani Taliban to initiate talks with the Pakistani government to alleviate tensions between them and Islamabad.
Nonetheless, sources close to both the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban have refuted the reports of any meetings between the two factions' leaders.
Previously, Geo News reported a meeting between Mullah Mohammad Hassan, the Taliban's Prime Minister, and Noor Wali Mehsud, the TTP leader. The Afghan Taliban reportedly advised the TTP that their attacks within Pakistan were undermining the group's relationship with the Pakistani populace and government.
This denial occurs as Maulana Hamid ul Haq, leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, engaged with prominent Taliban figures in Afghanistan, including Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the deputy prime minister for political affairs, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, Refugee Affairs Minister Khalil-ur Rahman Haqqani, and the Governor of Logar, during a visit to the country.
During a discussion with Hamid ul Haq, Mawlawi Abdul Kabir emphasised the Taliban's stance against allowing any threats to others from Afghan territory.
