MIRANSHAH: The Pakistani Taliban yesterday insisted US drone strikes in the northwest must stop before they consider peace talks with the government.
The main Pakistani political parties last month backed a government proposal to seek negotiations with the militants, who have been waging a bloody insurgency against the state since 2007.
The main umbrella Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) faction responded with a list of preconditions, including a government ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops from the tribal areas along the Afghan border where the militants have hideouts.
TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said any ceasefire must include an end to US drone attacks in the tribal areas, which have been targeting suspected Taliban and Al Qaeda militants since 2004.
“A ceasefire alone is not sufficient. The stoppage of drone strikes is essential. If drones continue to strike, we will not accept the ceasefire.”
Pakistan publicly criticises strikes as counter-productive and a violation of its sovereignty, but the US considers them an effective tool in the fight against Islamist militancy.
The TTP’s demand adds a new challenge to the bleak prospects for talks, hit hard by three attacks in a week in Peshawar, which killed 142 people.
Punjab faces Aids drug crisis
LAHORE: A life-saving drug vital to fight Aids has run out of stock in Punjab province of Pakistan. The Punjab Aids Control Programme provides a combination of three drugs to registered patients through its nine treatment centres/special clinics. An official said one of the drugs, Tenofovir tablet, has been out of stock at the centres/clinics for the past two weeks. Patients, he said, had no option because it was not available in the market as well. He said non-availability of the drug might increase the viral load and affect the health of patients. In some cases missing doses also increase chances of “irreparable complications”, he added.
Sindh police nab 38 Afghans
Islamabad: Pakistani police arrested yesterday 38 Afghans during a raid on criminal elements in Hyderabad city in Sindh province. Police said a large cache of arms was recovered during a raid on an Afghan settlement in Hala Naka. Last Sunday police arrested 70 Afghans from a camp in the capital Islamabad, and seized machine guns and fake number plates for cars.
21 rebels killed in Afghanistan
Kabul: At least 21 Taliban militants were killed in joint operations by Afghan security forces and International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the past 24 hours. The Interior Ministry said yesterday that two rebels were wounded and six arrested, along with several weapons.
Pakistan lifts ban on YouTube
Islamabad: Pakistan yesterday lifted the ban on YouTube. The website was reopened without any formal announcement. The previous government on September 17 last year banned YouTube as the website refused to block a film offending Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
Agencies
