By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) on Tuesday formally approved the process of negotiations with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) within the ambit of the constitution.
The national parliamentary and political leadership, including Chairman Senate, members of the National Assembly and Standing Committee on Defence, federal ministers, provincial chief ministers besides the chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and military leadership attended the meeting.
The meeting also approved the formation of a Parliamentary Oversight Committee which would be responsible for monitoring the process within the constitutional framework.
Cases against the banned movement will not be withdrawn as long as FATA integration is not rolled back.
The PTI did not attend the meeting, while Baloch leaders said talks should first be held with those who were forced to flee to the mountains.
According to sources, the sixth in-camera meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in which political, military and parliamentary leadership participated.
The meeting discussed important issues including the overall national security situation in the country.
According to sources, the Prime Minister briefed the committee on the current situation in the country while the military leadership briefed the parliamentary committee on the security situation and the progress of the talks with the TTP.
“Negotiations are underway. The negotiating committee consists of government-led civil and military representatives. The committee is negotiating within the framework of the Constitution of Pakistan,” the meeting was told. During the briefing, military leadership apprised of the dangers posed at home and abroad.
The meeting was informed about the steps taken to address the threats to the security of the country and the administrative matters on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The meeting learnt that Pakistan had played a very responsible and positive role for peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Pakistan will continue its constructive role for peace and stability in Afghanistan. It was hoped that the territory of Afghanistan would not be allowed to be used against Pakistan, sources said.
Corps Commander Peshawar Lt. Gen. Faiz Hameed and DG ISI also gave a briefing.
The political leadership expressed satisfaction with the strategy and progress made in this regard. According to sources, it was decided in the meeting that cases would be disposed of against anyone.
“Those who have cases will face the courts. A rehabilitation programme for those sitting on the other side will be implemented, while the parliamentary committee will oversee the negotiation process with the TTP.
The meeting was informed that most of the talks with the TTP have reached the final stages.
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