ISLAMABAD, Aug 28 Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has called upon the media not to glorify Taliban leaders.

Talking to media personnel at an Iftar-dinner hosted by PPP's information secretary Fauzia Wahab, he said that commanders could only be in the army and the word should not be used for terrorists who were killing innocent people. He said that the media was independent and he could only suggest to them not to 'give extra coverage to terrorist activities'. The minister said some media organisations were giving too much coverage to the Taliban succession issue after Baitullah Mehsud's death. Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan was a banned outfit and its leaders should be described as terrorists, not commanders, he added.

Commenting on the political activities in the country, Mr Kaira said his party believed in reconciliation and a democratic set-up could flourish only when main political players did not indulge in any blame game. At present, the county could not afford the politics of accusation and counter-accusations.

In her remarks, Ms Wahab said that recent revelations by some retired officials of intelligence agencies had vindicated the PPP's stand that it never indulged in dirty politics.

The recent revelations made by former intelligence officials have had exposed many politicians claiming to be champions of democracy, Ms Fauzia said referring to politicians who had received money from ISI for acting against the PPP.