ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday said that dialogue with the Taliban is the top priority of the government for peace in the country.

Speaking to the media in Islamabad he said the decision to hold talks with Taliban was given by the country's political leadership during the All parties Conference.

Nisar said that government will continue to adhere to this policy and welcomes those militant groups who will respond positively to talks offer.

But the interior minister also warned that there will be as strong response against those groups that resort to violence.

“Those who will respond to our offer of dialogue with bullet, we will fight with them and chase them wherever they will be,” he clarified.

“Our aim is to restore peace in Pakistan particularly in Fata, as it is right of the people as they have paid a heavy cost for an unnecessary war.

"Time has come that people should be saved from this situation of blood and fire. Foreign powers for their own interests pushed people of this region into an unending war,” he remarked.

Nisar said negotiations are underway with different groups and hoped for a good outcome.

Nisar said that the govt has faced criticism for holding talks with the Taliban. The interior minister said that the problem will not be solved by military operation alone.