Maulana Sami Ul Haq Retreats From Talks With Taliban

Maulana Sami ul Haq, te head of his own faction of Jameet e Ulemai Islam (JUI-S) announced on Wednesdat that he was distancing himself from the proposed talks with defunct Tehreek e Taliban Pakistan. Maulana, who perceived to have influence on Taliban leadership, had earlier this month offered his services to initiate dialogue process with Taliban. But a series of attacks by Taliban in recent days prompted armed forces to take retaliatory action in North Wziristan in which 40 terrorists have been killed including key commondars of Taliban. Sami ul Haq said he deided to take back his offer in the wake of action takenn by armed forces in the tribal areas. He said he had initiated background talks with Taliban from Jan 1 and he had also sent a message to prime minister in his regard. But, he said he did not receice any go-ahead signal from the government.