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...
announced Wednesday that his government would pursue peace talks with Talibs despite a recent spate of attacks, naming a four-member committee to facilitate the talks.
Addressing a session of the National Assembly after a span of six months, Sharif said the government wanted to give peace another chance.
The premier announced the constitution of a four-member team -- comprising his Advisor on National Affairs Irfan Siddique, veteran journalist Rahimullah Yusufzai, former ambassador and expert on Afghanistan affairs Rustam Shah Mohmand and former ISI official Major (Retd) Amir Shah -- to holds talks with the bad boys.
He said that Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan would assist the committee.
Sharif also called on the turbans to observe a ceasefire in the televised speech. He said that he would personally supervise the performance of the committee, adding that he was sincerely trying to restore peace in the country and expressed his hope that the other side would reciprocate in a similar manner.
The announcement came the same day Talibs targeted paramilitary soldiers, killing at least three Rangers personnel in separate kabooms 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...
.
Speaking to Dawn.com from
Shahid said the Taliban have convened a meeting of the Shura (council) to "assess the committee formed by the federal government for peace talks."
"Taliban are united under Fazlullah and rumours about rifts are baseless," he said.
Sharif long has supported talks as the best way to end the years of fighting with the Pak Taliban. But after a spate of attacks in January, he has been under pressure to take steps to bring the country's violence under control.
His speech came amid speculation that the government would soon authorise a large-scale military operation against bad boys.
Speaking to parliamentarians on Wednesday, Sharif said the entire nation -- including all state institutions -- stand united if the government decides to react to terrorism with full force.
"Since the other side has shown intent to negotiate, we also wish to give peace yet another chance," he said, adding that bitter experiences of the past propelled the government to hold peace talks to bear fruit.