The government-nominated team has placed on top of its agenda the release of some non-combatant prisoners in the Taliban custody for the next round of face-to-face interaction with Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) shura, yet conflicting reports are emanating from the Taliban ranks about which group holds Ali Haider Gilani and Shahbaz Taseer captive.
No demand has been received officially from the Taliban in exchange for release of Haider Gilani, son of former Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani and Shahbaz Taseer, son of the late Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer. However, Taliban through unofficial channels had earlier demanded release of its commander Adnan Rasheed who was involved in several terrorist attacks including Kamra airbase, D.I. Khan Jail-break and attack on the then president, General Pervez Musharraf (Retd). Adnan Rasheed was a key militant commander who escaped Bannu jail in 2012 and who was later reportedly killed in air strikes in North Waziristan.
Sources close to Taliban are unable to confirm whether or not Gilani and Taseer are currently in the TTP custody. However, when contacted Javed Ibrahim Paracha, ex-MNA from Kohat, chairman World Prisoner Relief Commission, claimed that he had arranged a telephonic conversation between former Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and Haider Gilani prior to the death of former TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud in a US drone strike; subsequently, however he said there has been no further progress on the issue.
Paracha, who has earlier pleaded the cases of several jailed al Qaeda leaders, expressed ignorance about Taliban demands to release Ali Haider Gilani. He also expressed ignorance on the whereabouts of Shahbaz Taseer. "I can only confirm that Ali Gilani was with Taliban, but I've no idea as to the whereabouts of Shahbaz Taseer," he added. Shahbaz Taseer was abducted from Gulberg area of Lahore in August 2011 while Ali Haider Gilani was kidnapped at Multan by unknown armed persons in May 2013.
The government, which recently released 19 Taliban non-combatants, has called upon the Taliban to set free Ali Haider Gilani, Shahbaz Taseer, vice chancellor Islamia College University, Peshawar, Ajmal Khan, some government officials and foreigners. Official sources said the government-nominated peace negotiators, who will be meeting for another direct interaction with the Taliban shura in the coming few days, will also take up with the TTP leadership the issue of prisoner release. The Sindh provincial assembly also adopted a resolution on Monday calling for the release of Professor Ajmal, Ali Haider Gilani, Shahbaz Taseer and others.