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Govt wants to hold talks with Taliban
[Pak Daily Times] Prime Minister  Nawaz Sharif... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... Friday reiterated his government's desire to hold talks with the Taliban for making Pakistain a peaceful country. Speaking during his visit to Balochistan  ...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it... , Prime Minister Nawaz appealed to the estranged segments among the Baloch population to join the mainstream, give up arms and abandon their current course in order to be part of the caravan serving the country. He was addressing a gathering of area notables at the Central Relief Camp set up at the Circuit House by the Balochistan government for the earthquake victims. Wooing the estranged Baloch, the prime minister used a local phrase that says if a person returns home late after straying, he is embraced back into the fold. He said the estranged Baloch "are our brothers" and stressed that hostility serves no purpose. "They should abandon hostility and work for the betterment of Pakistain's economy. ...They are our brothers. We harbour no sentiment of Dire Revenge™," Prime Minister Nawaz declared. About the earthquake victims, the prime minister said he was deeply saddened by the calamity which had hit them. He said that at the time of the quake, he was out of the country, however, he had directed Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to visit the quake-affected area. He said the federal government, Balochistan government and the army had jointly launched relief work for the quake victims and accomplished the initial responsibilities commendably. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said he was extremely grieved over the loss of lives and the injuries caused to other people by the earthquake. He said the government desired to rehabilitate those people whose houses were destroyed so as to mitigate the loss suffered by them. The prime minister said the worst-hit Awaran District will be turned into a modern district. "The people of Balochistan and the people of Pakistain should feel that the government realises its obligations," he said. Nawaz said it will be the endeavour of the government to construct the destroyed houses soon. He said opinion of the local people will be sought so ascertain their wishes, and whether the government should build houses for them or provide them money to build them themselves. "New technology will be utilised in the construction of the houses so that this village-like place may look like a beautiful city," remarked Nawaz. About the issue of terrorism, Prime Minister Nawaz recalled that the government had finalised the plan to initiate dialogue with the Taliban and a delegation was scheduled to leave when the process was impeded. He, however, reiterated the government's desire to have talks with Taliban for making Pakistain a peaceful country. "We want dialogue with Taliban and do not want more bloodshed of our brothers and sisters," the prime minister remarked. Referring to the ongoing targeted operation in Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... , the prime minister said it is only against the criminals. "The criminals, even if they belong to our own party, will not be spared." The operation will continue until the last culprit is nabbed and brought to justice, the prime minister added. An MQM delegation called on Prime Minister Nawaz at the Governor's House in Karachi on Friday and discussed law and order with him. Posted by: Fred 2013-11-09 |
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