Govt urged to negotiate with TTP from position of strength.

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan must approach all negotiations with the TTP from a position of strength, and must ensure that all agreements are in line with the Constitution.

This was the central thrust of a policy note titled 'Pakistan, the TTP, and the Impetus for Internal and External Peace' published by think tank Tabadlab. Authored by Mariam Mirza and Zeeshan Salahuddin, the report analyses the ongoing negotiation process, identifies the key stakeholders, and the most viable path forward for the government of Pakistan.

It said that TTP's demands include the reversal of the merger of erstwhile Fata with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as per the 25th Constitution Amendment; withdrawal of all military presence from the region; enforcement of Shariah law in the Malakand division; the release of 102 commanders and fighters and presidential pardon to two key militant commanders; and complete freedom of movement for the TTP's members in the Malakand division.

The authors of the report deem these demands unviable, since they would amount to ceding constitutional sovereignty in these regions to the TTP. Meanwhile, the government's demands include the...