US said nothing about 'drone ceasefire' during PM visit: Khurshid Shah

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) opposition leader in the National Assembly, Khurshid Shah, Monday said Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar was directed to expedite the implementation of measures agreed upon in All Parties Conference (APC) following his letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Geo News reported.

“I’m thankful to him (Prime Minister) for listening to me”, said he in a statement issued here.

He further said that PM Sharif had also written him requesting ‘endorsement’ for the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance.

“We are consulting with legal experts in this regard”, said Shah.

He sounded concern over United Sates of America’s giving no assurance to Pakistan of a ceasefire of drone attacks on targets in the tribal belt near Pakistan-Afghanistan border region.

“A complete halt to US spy plane strikes is the precondition the Taliban has set before any peace talks with the government. So how are we going to start the coveted negotiations aimed at making peace with the Taliban if these attacks will continue like this”, the opposition leader said.

Going forward he said it was more complicated than it looked, as first off how could the government negotiate with those who reject the constitution of Pakistan?

“Under which conditions will the government hold talks with Taliban, who do not submit to the constitution of the country and the writ of the government of Pakistan”, said he.