Taliban: Peace talks won’t succeed till Pakistani troops withdrawal

Pakistan’s Taliban has said that peace talks with the government cannot be successful until the withdrawal of the Pakistani army from the tribal areas and the release of prisoners. Pakistani media quoted the spokesman of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Shahidullah Shaid as saying “peace talks cannot be successful until the withdrawal of army troops from the tribal areas and the release of prisoners.” Shahidullah Shahid also demanded an end to the drone strikes, indicating that they were being funded by Afghan Taliban. He said that the aim of TTP was to defend Muslims all over the world and it was not involved in killing of Pakistani citizens, adding that a third force, working for enemies of Islam, was involved in attacks in Pakistani cities. Last month, Pakistani Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani confirmed that the army would not accept any pre-conditions imposed by Taliban militants.