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Taliban seek ‘huge compensation’ for North Waziristan peace deal

PESHAWAR: Negotiations between Taliban leaders and a tribal jirga in North Waziristan have reached an impasse over the formers demand for a “huge compensation”, sources told Daily Times on Tuesday. “The peace talks are hostage to the issue of compensation, which militants say the government should pay them for damages suffered in military operations,” said the sources. They said the ceasefire was extended because of “differences” between Taliban commanders and jirga members over the issue. “The sum they are demanding is quite large. It is in billions,” they added. Around Rs 50 million was paid to key Taliban commanders in South Waziristan in 2004 after they surrendered following a peace deal with the government, but the Taliban in North Waziristan, according to the sources, are demanding Rs 200 million as compensation. “We are trying to convince the Taliban commanders to reconsider their demand. We know about the damages, but the militants are trying to exploit the situation,” a senior jirga member told Daily Times over the telephone from Miranshah. He said the government saw the militants’ demand as “beyond justifiable”. iqbal khattak

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