Petition filed in Pak SC calling for halt in talks with Taliban

A petition has been moved in the Supreme Court of Pakistan calling for the issuance of a declaration that no person, civil or military, should engage in any contact or negotiation with the Taliban.

Freelance journalist Shahid Orakzai filed the petition under Article 184(3) of the constitution, nominating as respondents the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee through its chairman and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general, reports the Daily Times.

Orakzai requested the court to instruct the ISI DG to identify the persons who are in contact with the Taliban and their mode of communication.

He further said that respondent JCSC chairman should be instructed to call a meeting of the committee to identify the areas in Pakistan wherein the rebels are threatening the security of the country and report the action to be taken against them.

Orakzai contended that the court needed to prevent any move against the constitution that might undermine the security of the country and the discipline of the armed forces of Pakistan.