After inking a peace agreement, with the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), releasing over 1,000 of its members, de-proscribing the group and removing the names of 465 of its activists from the Fourth Schedule, the government, already in talks with Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has released over 100 TTP operatives as a “confidence-building measure” to “ensure the success of the peace process”.

The talks and a possible peace agreement with the TTP might lead to release of hundreds of militants including those who once carried head money set by the state for information leading to their capture.

More than 100 TTP men are reported to have been released. However, neither the government not the TTP has confirmed these reports.

The News on Sunday has learnt that the released prisoners were handed over to the Afghan Taliban, to build confidence for further negotiations after the TTP made talks conditional on the release of their all its operatives, arrested and detained in Pakistan.

Media reports have suggested that some of the frontline TTP leaders, including top Taliban leaders in Swat, Mehmood Khan and Muslim Khan as well as Maulvi Omar, a former spokesperson for the TTP, were among those released. “Afghan Taliban might keep them to ensure success of the agreement,” a source privy to the peace talks says.

When President Arif Alvi and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had first hinted at holding talks with the group in October, a spokesperson for the TTP had issued a press statement that read, “We want to send a message to the secular, democratic leaders and the military leadership that the goal of our struggle is the enforcement of an Islamic system in Pakistan, for which our forefathers made sacrifices and 600,000 people sacrificed their lives.

“Forgiveness is sought for mistakes; we are proud of our struggle. We have never apologised to our enemies. We have lived within the shariah limits. We can announce amnesty to the government on the condition that they promise and resolve to enforce shariah in the country,” it said.

“The TTP would not abide by the constitution or laws of Pakistan, which put Islamic principles on the backburner. We cannot accept an anti-Islam, democratic constitution of the infidels. Nor will we ever abandon our Islamic and tribal traditions and weapons,” it further said.

After this stern refusal, a TTP statement signed by its chief Abu Mansoor said, “It is to inform all ameers and commanders of the TTP and its allied groups that a process of negotiation with the Government of Pakistan has commenced. The two sides have decided to announce a ceasefire for one month to proceed with negotiations from November 9 to December 9. All TTP factions and mujahideen are directed to refrain from carrying out any activity.”

While the negotiation process for a peace deal with the TTP is under way and its operatives are being released, Supreme Court of Pakistan in a suo motu notice about Army Public School (APS) massacre, summoned Prime Minister Imran Khan on November 10 and heckled him with the same questions.

The TTP also issued a declaration about the ceasefire and negotiations. The declaration reads, “Afghan Taliban are mediating between Pakistan government and the TTP.”

The government of Pakistan has been tight lipped on the issue. None of the government officials or relevant ministers has spoken about the agenda, the negotiators and the scene of the contact.

Government officials aware of the process, speaking on condition of anonymity, say, “Most of the ministers, including those responsible for internal security and laws, are not aware of the talking points.”

They say the talks were initiated at the end of August 2021 in Kabul. “Later, two more meetings took place in Afghanistan during which the TTP demanded release of their prisoners for the talks to continue,” says a well-informed official.

Several questions arise here: What will be the future of these talks? Who (the government or the TTP) will budge? Will the TTP agree to respect the Constitution and will it abide by the agreement? Will the government take the nation into confidence about terms and conditions of an agreement it enters?

The government has developed a habit of keeping the citizenry in the dark in such matters. The agreement with Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan has not been disclosed to the nation. “It is an agreement between the federal government and the TLP. The two sides have agreed to keep it confidential,” Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat told TNS. He said that even he did not know about its terms.

The agreement with the TTP is likely to similarly remain a secret. This reinforces the impression that the ruling elite take the nation for granted. The masses, it appears, are meant only to suffer inflation, tax hikes to run the government expenses and terror attacks; and have no role in policy-making.

While the negotiation for a peace deal with the TTP is under way and its operatives are being released, Supreme Court of Pakistan in a suo motu notice about Army Public School (APS) massacre summoned Prime Minister Imran Khan on November 10 and heckled him with the same questions.

As many as 147 people, including 132 children, were killed when TTP men the attacked Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar in 2014. The TTP had claimed responsibility for the attack.

A three-member bench, led by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmad posed several questions to Prime Minister Khan, reflecting reservations about the peace talks.

Justice Qazi Muhammad Amin had a direct question, “You have brought culprits to the negotiating table. Are we once again about to sign a surrender document?”

The PM responded with: “Find out why 80,000 people in Pakistan were killed. Also find out who is responsible for 480 drone attacks that took place in Pakistan.”

The Chief Justice of Pakistan responded firmly to these comments saying, “It is your job to find out the answers to these questions because you are the prime minister.”

All previous agreements between the state and the militants have been violated with both sides accusing each other of treachery after Shakai Agreement with Nek Muhammad, signed in 2004, Srarogha Agreement signed with Baitullah Mehsud in 2005 and the Swat Peace Agreement in 2008.

The writer is a senior journalist, teacher of journalism, writer and analyst. He tweets at @BukhariMubasher