Nawaz asks Taliban to join peace talks
30 October, 2013
LONDON: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that his government wants peace not only in Pakistan but the region, and asked the Taliban to join the peace process and become part of the political process.
In an interview with a private TV channel in London, the prime minister said that his government is serious in negotiations with the Taliban. He said that he has tasked Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to pursue talks process with the Taliban. The prime minister said that he wants to include all stakeholders, including the Taliban, in the negotiations. Nawaz said that the Taliban should join the peace council and become part of the political process.
The prime minister added that Interior Minister Chaurdhy Nisar had been given the responsibility for dialogue with the Taliban. He said that whenever there is progress regarding dialogue an unfortunate incident takes place. "We are serious in our efforts to hold dialogue with the Taliban."
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Tuesday said that homework into proposed talks with the Taliban has been completed after consultations with stakeholders.
He said that negotiations with the Taliban were expected to be launched soon. He was speaking to participants of National Management Course here.
Nisar said that National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) was being restored as basic authority of anti-terrorism.
He said that steps were also being taken to establish joint directorate of intelligence agencies for better coordination.
End.
|
