ISLAMABAD: Leader of the House in Senate, Raja Zafarul Haq, said Thursday certain neighbouring countries were using their agents to destabilise Pakistan and de-track the government’s ongoing dialogue process with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Responding to points of order raised by certain Senators, Haq said time was needed to put the house in order, adding that it was not possible for things to improve immediately with the initiation of dialogue.

Haq said the country’s political parties had given their consent to hold dialogue with the TTP and that a consensus existed in that regard.

Negotiators from the government and the TTP are currently engaged in peace talks aimed at ending the militants’ insurgency that has claimed thousands of lives.

Earlier on Wednesday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had expressed his satisfaction over the progress in negotiations between the government committee and the TTP.

Speaking to reporters in Ankara, the premier had added that the armed forces had extended support for the peace initiative. He moreover said that the Taliban had assured of action against those who had committed acts of terrorism in recent days.