New strategy on Taliban talks with KP govt’s support: Nisar

Published November 10, 2013
KP Governor Engr Shaukatullah Khan speaks with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan during a meeting in Islamabad on Saturday. – APP Photo
KP Governor Engr Shaukatullah Khan speaks with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan during a meeting in Islamabad on Saturday. – APP Photo

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Saturday said the government will take into confidence the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government in formulating a new security strategy after talks with Pakistani Taliban did not materialise.

He said this while speaking to KP Governor Engineer Shaukatullah Khan during a meeting here. Negotiations with Taliban and overall security situation in FATA were discussed in the meeting.

Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) rules the province and being a strong opponent of US drone campaign in Pakistan, Khan has vowed to cut the Nato supplies going through his region after Nov 20 if US drone strikes do not end.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is one of the two routes the supplies move in and out of Afghanistan.

The country’s National Assembly is also discussing the security situation and the debate on the emerging situation in the aftermath of former Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Hakimullah Mehsud’s killing will end on Monday.

PTI chief Imran Khan and the interior minister both accuse the US of derailing peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban.

The new strategy on talks with Taliban will be prepared in light of the ongoing debate in the lower house of parliament, said Nisar.

He said, “It is not the time to get emotional, or issue aimless statements, but decisions should be taken in the national interest with wisdom and sagacity.”

The minister said people in KP were facing a difficult situation regarding law and order and vowed the federal government’s support to the provincial government while putting aside party politics.

During the meeting, the governor informed the minister about situation arising after the drone attack that killed Mehsud.

Shaukatullah Khan hoped that the federal and provincial governments will formulate a joint strategy to face the prevailing situation.

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