Pakistan plans group to pursue Taliban talks

KABUL and other insurgent outfits, a media report said on Monday.

The Express Tribune reported the group could be set up after an all-party conference (APC) later this month. The meeting is aimed to forge consensus on a new national security policy.

Despite the security establishment’s calls for a cautious approach, the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was ready to give peace a chance, the newspaper added.

An unnamed government official told the daily: “Different proposals are under consideration and one of them is to form a working group for talks with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).”

The working group will politicians and other figures who could exercise “their influence and good offices” to make the peace talks a success. Ex-fighters and detained militants could also be asked to play a supportive role.

PAN Monitor/mud

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