ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has asked ‘some’ Taliban factions opposing the peace process to grow out of their mindset and respond positively to the gestures of both the government and the entire political leadership of the country.

Expressing the government’s resolve to establish peace in the affected areas through talks with the Taliban during a meeting with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman who called on him here on Wednesday, the minister said that the government was sincerely pursuing the path of dialogue.

“It is incumbent upon the other side to react positively.”

The meeting took place a day after the chief of his own faction of JUI, Maulana Samiul Haq, had discussed the peace process with the prime minister.

Chaudhry Nisar said there should be no doubt in anybody’s mind about the government’s resolve to protect every inch of Pakistan’s territory and life and property of every citizen. “Enough blood has already spilled and suffering caused to the patriotic people of Fata,” he said.

The overall political and security situation in the country, with particular reference to efforts being made to establish peace in the tribal region came under discussion during the meeting.

Maulana Fazl expressed confidence in the government’s efforts for establishing lasting peace in the affected areas and said he felt this was the right time to take the initiative.

He said the people of Fata genuinely wanted peace because they had endured more than a decade of suffering. He expressed the hope that the will of the people of Fata and Pakistan would prevail.

The JUI-F chief assured the minister that his party would assist the government in restoring peace in tribal areas.