PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information Shah Farman has reiterated his government’s stand on the option of opening office for Taliban in the country and said that from the very beginning Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf was in favour of negotiations for restoration of durable peace.

Speaking at ‘Meet the Press’ programme of Peshawar Press Club on Saturday, the minister said that it was necessary for successful negotiations to have access to the stakeholders and the only option could be the Taliban’s office.

He said that the federal government was not sincere to take practical initiatives for negotiations otherwise it would have changed its foreign policy and approached the relevant people for the purpose. He said that the federal government had so far not devised a plan for negotiations with Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

“We have always emphasised holding negotiations with Taliban, stopping drone attacks, reviewing foreign policy and implementation of the resolutions adopted in an all parties’ conference and in the parliament for establishment of sustainable peace in the country,” the minister said.

Commenting on the persistent attacks by miscreants on vaccinators of anti-polio drops, he said that the government was aware of the situation and would ensure protection of the volunteers and paramedics.

About alliance for local government elections, the PTI leader said that the coalition partners, including Jamaat-i-Islami, Awami Jamhoori Itehad and PTI, might strike a deal for the purpose.

He said that Chief Minister Pervez Khattak had written a letter to the centre for changing its policy on the drone attacks, but the federal government was yet to reply.

Earlier, speaking at the ‘Guest Hour’ programme of the press club, the minister said that the government would take every possible step to facilitate and work for the welfare of journalists. He highlighted the role of independent media for strengthening democracy and the rule of law in the country.

He said that the PTI-led coalition government was determined to eliminate corruption, establish rule of law and ensure independence of media.