TTP Leader Noor Wali Mehsud On Negotiations With Pakistani Government: Our Goal Is To Establish An Islamic System In Pakistan; If The Negotiations Fail, We Will Resume Our Jihad

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Against the backdrop of negotiations between the Pakistani Taliban Movement (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, TTP) and the Pakistani government, Umarmedia.io published on June 30, 2022 an interview with TTP emir Noor Wali Mehsud. Mehsud said that the Pakistani government was forced to the negotiations table due to an increase in the TTP's operations, and he warned that if negotiations fail, the TTP will continue its jihad in "full swing". He said that democracy is un-Islamic, and he explained that the TTP is negotiating with the Pakistani government in order to establish an Islamic system in Pakistan, which he said is the goal of the country's founding.

Noor Wali Mehsud: "The Government of Pakistan has been forced to negotiate because of the acceleration in our operations.

[...]

"It is a matter of fact that if negotiations fail, we will continue our sacred Jihad in full swing. Allah willing."

Interviewer: "Do you consider democracy un-Islamic?"

Mehsud: "Yes. In context to the present circumstances, my message to the mujahideen of the TTP is that they should not be subdued or overawed from the media reports about the negotiations. In fact, we have adopted the path of negotiations to achieve our goal and objective which is also unusual of Shariah and a principal of the worldly affairs. The final result of all the wars is eventually decided at the negotiation table. As we succeeded in the battlefield up till now, Allah willing, we will also win at the negotiation table. We will not withdraw from our goals and objectives. We will continue our struggle to achieve the objective of the creation of Pakistan, Allah willing, and the same efforts are required from all the mujahideen.

[...]

"My message to the people of Pakistan is that Pakistan was came in to being after great sacrifices and it was liberated in the name of Islam. So, I request to the people of Pakistan that they should become part of the TTP and assist us in our struggle of the establishment of an Islamic system in Pakistan for which it was created."

Interviewer: "What is your message for the journalists?"

Mehsud: "I extend this message to journalists that they should not show one side of the war but also show the position of the belligerents and parties involved, it's also matter of justice and truth. Another matter is that you should not explain our position on your own instead first consult and ask us before publishing anything about us."