ISLAMABAD: Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khursheed Shah said on Wednesday that the government should itself mediate the peace talks with militants and the army should not be made part of the process, DawnNews reported.

Talking to media representatives the senior leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said that including the Pakistan Army in the dialogue process with militants was dangerous adding that the role of the armed forces was neither to hold negotiations nor make deals.

He demanded the government to hold talks on its own without involving the army.

The opposition leader also said that he had no objections to any person's involvement in the peace talks as long as they were not serving personnel of the armed forces.

He was of the view that no serving personnel should be involved in the talks though retired personnel could be included in the process.

Expressing the sensitivity of the situation, Shah said that a dangerous scenario would emerge in case the talks failed.

Answering a question over the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Shah said he had not discussed the matter with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yet.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.