Talks with Taliban to begin soon: Aziz

KABUL militants in the next few days, a senior official said on Saturday.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said in an interview: “We are developing a comprehensive anti-terrorism policy and holding talks with TTP is part of that strategy.”

A national consensus was being developed on talks with the insurgents, he told Dawn, referring to an all-party conference that was held in Islamabad recently.

US officials also acknowledged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had shared with them his plan to engage the Taliban. “And we told them we have no objection as long as the Taliban agree to recognise the Pakistani constitution and respect the rule of law,” said one US official.

Aziz said the Sharif administration had already covered a lot of ground and talks with the Taliban were likely to start in thenext few days. However, he gave no details about the rebel groups that have agreed to come to the negotiating table.

PAN Monitor/mud

Visits: 0