ISLAMABAD: The PML-N is reported to have started back-channel contacts to persuade the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) to agree to the inclusion of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak in the government committee for holding direct talks with the Taliban leadership. Well-informed sources told Dawn on Sunday that Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had been in constant touch with PTI Chairman Imran Khan and met him several times in recent days at the Parliament House and at his Islamabad residence.

A source in the PTI confirmed the meetings and said the interior minister had requested Mr Khan to let Mr Khattak join the government committee.

There were reports on Sunday about Chaudhry Nisar having called Mr Khan and exchanging views with him on the government-Taliban peace dialogue.

However, talking to Dawn, PTI media coordinator Chaudhry Rizwan denied the reports.

The government has virtually dissolved the committee formed last month when its members recommended the formation of a fully empowered team comprising the interior minister, officials of the army and ISI and the governor and chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for direct talks with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

PTI member and former ambassador Rustam Shah Mohmand was in the government committee.

Imran Khan has been a staunch supporter of dialogue and has consistently said that a military operation against Taliban is not a solution to the problem.