ISLAMABAD: The government on Tuesday informed the Senate that it had other options on the table, but those would be used only if talks with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) failed.

“The government is sincere in its efforts. There is no weakness. Dialogue is the first option and the government will only go for other options once this option is fully exhausted,” said State Minister for Interior Balighur Rehman while winding up the debate on the law and order situation in the country.

Responding to the speeches made by the opposition members, the minister categorically stated that there was no confusion within the government ranks and the talks with the militants would be held only within the constitutional parameters.

“The government is not confused. It has clarity in its stance that dialogue will be held within the ambit of the Constitution,” he said, adding, it was their “commitment” as they had taken oath under the Constitution. He said whatever was being discussed in media was personal opinion of the people.

The minister claimed that security situation was improving in Sindh and Balochistan and the Sindh chief minister had himself acknowledged that there had been a 40 per cent decline in crime rate in the province.

Earlier, taking part in the debate, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan of the PPP called for inclusion of the representatives of parliamentarians, minorities, women and Shia community in the government-appointed committee negotiating with the TTP.

Predicting that the talks were bound to fail, the opposition leader remarked: “Taliban are defeating and defeating and in the few weeks’ time, they will call a checkmate.” He claimed only 30 per cent of the Taliban were in tribal areas whereas 70 per cent of them had already spread all over the country.

Commenting on the reported demands of the TTP, he said if the government released more than 4,000 Taliban prisoners, then it would be like providing them a force. “If you withdraw troops from tribal areas then it means the Taliban will be given a territory and by paying them compensation for the losses, you will be providing them budget,” he added.

Mr Ahsan said the government was confused and presently Taliban were holding negotiations with Taliban. He said the country’s Constitution could not be changed with the power of gun by one sect.

Parliamentary leader of the ruling PML-N Mushahidullah Khan said Taliban recognised Pakistan and its Constitution. “Their engaging with the government into dialogue clearly means that they recognise the country and its constitution,” he said, adding: “If they do not recognise Pakistan, why do they have their name as Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.”

“We all are Muslims. We all know Sharia well. No group can unilaterally announce enforcement of Sharia or waging Jihad,” he added.

He said if any group wanted to change the system, it should contest the election and get a two-thirds majority in the parliament.

Meanwhile, responding to a Calling Attention Notice moved by PPP’s Sughra Imam seeking facilitation from the US and Afghanistan in peace talks, Leader of the House Raja Zafarul Haq said Pakistan did not require help of any foreign county and was capable to better handle its internal affairs.

MQM’s Nasreen Jalil alleged that her party workers were being victimised in the name of ongoing operation in Karachi. She alleged that 10 MQM workers had so far died in police custody whereas the police released some 1,800 workers after getting bribe. She accused the police of daily collecting Rs220 million in bribes in Karachi.

“We are not living in a police state,” the MQM senator said while calling for formation of a committee to monitor the operation.

At the outset of the session, all the opposition parties, excluding the MQM, staged a token walkout to register their protest over the decision of the government to privatise the country’s power distribution companies.