PESHAWAR - Speakers at ‘Peace Conference’ were unanimous that both establishment and Taliban are the real players and they have the role in restoring sustainable peace, while common people have badly been affected in the decade-long so-called war on terror in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA.
“The time has come to get rid of the so-called war on terror and take practical steps to restore sustainable peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA,” said leaders of the different political parties at the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa convened All Parties’ Conference (APC) here at the JI provincial headquarter Al-Markaz Islami on Friday.
Expressing grave concern over the loss of precious human lives in the recent bomb blasts, the speakers said that the incumbent Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has failed to sense the gravity of situation and take proactive steps for restoration of peace. They added that common people were badly suffered in the ongoing conflict between the establishment and Taliban.
JI Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chapter Ameer Prof Ibrahim Khan while speaking on the occasion said that participation of the leaders of different political parties in the JI convened APC was a good omen, and vowed to bring all its efforts in use for the restoration of lasting peace in the region. This region is passing through a critical situation, Ibrahim Khan said and added that it was better if the ruling parties in Centre and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have participated in the APC.
He also assured that the JI will accept any decision taken by the Joint Action Committee, and his party will raise a voice for the protection of the rights of the minorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The economic position of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was badly affected due to the so-called war on terror in the province.
ANP Convener Bashir Matta said that leadership of all the parties have given mandate to the Premier Nawaz Sharif to hold talks with Taliban, adding, “Now he is responsible to move further in this regard.” He said that ANP welcomed JI’s efforts for peace. JUI-S KPK Ameer Maulana Yousaf Shah said that the government should immediately initiate talks with Taliban. He posed a question if the US can hold talks with Afghan Taliban then Islamabad cannot do the same with the TTP.  JUI-F Secretary Information Abdul Jalil Jan said that without putting any condition in advance, talks should be on top most priority of the present government.
He said that Taliban are told to follow Constitution of Pakistan, but unfortunately, there are many who don’t follow it themselves. He criticised both PTI and PML-N for not participating in the JI-convened APC.
PPPP’s leader and ex-district nazim Peshawar Azam Khan Afridi said that entire parties would back the JI in restoration of peace.
Peshawar Bishop Hempary Sarfaraz Peter thanked people of Peshawar for helping Christian community when Saint Church was attacked by miscreants.
Various resolution were passed on this occasion through which it was demanded of the federal government to announce names of its team for holding talks with Taliban, quit itself from so-called war of terror, ensure protection of the innocent people of KPK and FATA, set up a foundation to compensate those people who have suffered and migrated from their places due to operations, ensure protection of the worship places of minorities, announce a huge package for the war-affected FATA and KPK, give relief in taxes to business and trade communities of the province. Besides through another resolution, it was announced that a joint action committee for peace having two-member each representation from political, religious parties, trader and business community and civil societies would be formed to work for peace in the region.