PML-N parliamentary party meeting :No decision on Taliban talks or operation

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired a key meeting of the PML-N parliamentary party here on Monday.

The meeting failed to reach a final decision on talks or an operation against the Taliban, with the majority of parliamentarians favouring the latter. It was decided that political parties will be taken into confidence regarding the government’s future course of action.

In his address, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the opinions of parliamentarians should be taken into consideration regarding the dialogue process with the Taliban. The prime minister added that it was essential to save the Pakistani state and future generations. According to the prime minister, Pakistan could not prosper unless terrorism and militancy were eliminated.

Prime Minister Sharif emphasised that all steps will be taken for establishing peace and stability in the country. He also paid tribute to soldiers who had sacrificed their lives calling them our national heroes.

The prime minister further said Pakistan’s soil should not be used to conduct terrorist activity. Speaking on relations with Pakistan’s neighbours, Prime Minister Sharif said Islamabad wanted cordial relations with India and all other neighbours.

During the meeting Interior Minister Chaurdhy Nisar Ali Khan provided a briefing on the Karachi operation, the security situation in the country and the Taliban’s offer to hold talks with the government.

According to sources, Nisar said the decision to hold talks or conduct an operation against the Taliban would be taken by the prime minister and leadership of the country. Further, Nisar said he did not trust the Taliban anymore as they were asking for talks and killing innocent people at the same time.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said terrorism had taken its toll on investment and the performance of industries. He added that by the end of the fiscal year, Pakistan’s Forex reserves will reach $16 billion.