ISLAMABAD- On the conclusion of meeting between dialogue committees of government and Taliban, Maulana Samiul Haq today said that both the committees reached a consensus on a venue for holding direct talks between government and Taliban committees.
Talking to journalist, he said the government committee will hold direct talks with Taliban soon. Maulana Samiul Haq termed the meeting as very successful and dispelled rumors about denial of Taliban regarding holding talks outside Waziristan
Earlier, the government’s negotiation committee and Taliban’s interlocutors met today to decide a date and venue for opening much-awaited direct talks with the militant group. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali presided over the joint meeting, which was held at Punjab House in Islamabad. JUI-S leader Maulana Sami ul Haq, Professor Ibrhaim, Maulana Yousuf Shah, Rustam Shah Mohmand, Arbab Arif, Habibullah Khattak and Fawad Hassan Fawad attended the meeting.
Maulana Sami ul Haq said two sides have picked a venue for the talks. Peace negotiations have entered a sensitive stage, he said, adding that two sides will meet in two to three days. The JUI-S chief dispelled the impression that Taliban were not willing to hold talks outside Wazirsitan. The chief Taliban interlocutor added that release of prisoners would be taken up in the meeting.
Maulana Samiul Haq said, that talks between government committee and Taliban would be held within couple of days. However, he declined to specify the venue where dialogue will be held due to security reasons. He said the venue which has been selected with consensus will be called as peace zone. He remarked that dialogue process has entered a sensitive juncture and expressed the hope that it would make headway. Maulana Samiul Haq said all issues including release of prisoners will be discussed during next rounds of talks.