Negotiator says Taliban seek release of 300 women, children

Professor Muhammad Ibrahim, a member of Taliban intermediary committee, has said that they have forwarded a list of 300 women and children believed to be in the custody of the security agencies, to the government to ensure their release. Talking to Business Recorder from Peshawar on Monday, he confirmed that during the recent meeting with Taliban Shura in North Waziristan Agency (NWA), a list of over 300 missing women and children was provided to them.
The committee has forwarded the list, which is not final, to the federal Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan, to look into the matter. "The list consists of over 300 women and children and it is not the final list....this [list] was given to us by Taliban during our recent meeting with them in NWA and we, as interlocutors, merely handed it over to the Interior Minister," he added.
When asked to comment on the categorical denial of holding women and children in jail by the civilian and military leadership, Professor Ibrahim argued that the establishment had also denied having the missing persons in custody before the Supreme Court but then people started surfacing after the apex court put pressure for their recovery.
He further stated that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had assured the Taliban committee that they would look into the matter and ensure the recovery of women and children, adding that the Prime Minister had expressed displeasure over confinement of women and children, terming it illegal and a violation of basic human rights. Professor Ibrahim dismissed the denial by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, saying that he knew nothing of what is going on behind the scenes. He added that the Taliban have requested an investigation into the mysterious disappearance of women and children and gave a list of names and from where they went missing - details that show there is something fishy.
He said the job of the committee is just that of a mediator and we conveyed the concerns of the Taliban, and now it is the government's responsibility to ascertain whether or not the list is correct. "We are making all-out efforts to bring peace through talks and trying to create a win-win situation for both Taliban and the government," he added.
About Ahrarul Hind Professor Ibrahim said that the Taliban have started an investigation. He said, without naming anyone, that some 'secret hands' are continuously trying to sabotage negotiations for peace in the country.