Islamabad: Pakistan`s nascent peace process with the Taliban suffered a blow on Friday when a key negotiator nominated by militants said he would not be part of talks with the government till the imposition of Islamic law is included in the agenda.
Abdul Aziz, the cleric of the radical Lal Masjid here that was raided by the army in 2007, said: "I will stay away from the talks until the government assures that the dialogue will be held under the Quran and `sunnah` (way of life prescribed by the Prophet Mohammed)."
The agenda for talks should include the imposition of Sharia or Islamic law, he told a televised news conference.
Aziz claimed the "Quran is constitution for us" and that if the "Quran and Sunnah would have been part of our constitution then there was no issue".
He added: "That should be the law in Pakistan and until the committee brings this point on the agenda, I won`t be part of the negotiations."
During the first meeting yesterday between the government and the Taliban-nominated committee, state negotiators had made it clear that talks would have to be held within the ambit of the Constitution.
It was widely believed that negotiators from the Taliban side - Samiul Haq, a radical cleric known as the "father of the Taliban", Jamaat-e-Islami leader Ibrahim Khan and Abdul Aziz had agreed to this condition.
There is intense scepticism about the peace initiative achieving a lasting solution to the insurgency led by the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan that has claimed thousands of life.
Aziz said he would remain part of the Taliban-nominated three-member team but would not come to the negotiating table.
Observers said his move could undermine the talks as the government committee has voiced doubts about the authority of the Taliban`s representatives.
The state negotiators skipped an initial meeting on Tuesday, citing confusion about the Taliban`s team after two members pulled out.
The state negotiators include senior journalists Irfan Siddiqui and Rahimullah Yousufzai, former ambassador Rustam Shah Mohmand, and former ISI officer Maj (retired) Muhammad Amir.
