Imran Khan urges Trump to talk to Taliban

E-Paper | March 09, 2026

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Monday said the United States (US) should stop trying to destroy the Taliban and instead talk to them with help from Pakistan.

In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press today, Khan rejected US President Donald Trump's allegation that Pakistan harbours militants.

He said Pakistanis "felt hurt" when Trump blamed Islamabad for sheltering militants while unveiling the US strategy for Afghanistan and South Asia in August.

He claimed that the Taliban have safe havens in Afghanistan and that Pakistan is being subjected to the group's attacks launched from Afghan soil.

US officials have long said that Pakistan turns a blind eye to militants operating along the porous Afghan border.

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haider

Sep 26, 2017 12:02am

Very good suggestion.

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Bahar

Sep 26, 2017 12:18am

Agreed

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Zeeshan Ahmed

Sep 26, 2017 12:24am

I think Trump is the type of person that may actually consider it.

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AFRIDI

Sep 26, 2017 12:43am

Let Trump say whatever he wants to say but let us make our country free from any militant and sectarian groups and self proclaimed Jihadists.

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Javed Shaikh

Sep 26, 2017 12:44am

Imran is always in favor of talking to terrorists. Taking to terrorists (good or bad) will never solve any problem. The only permanent solution is eliminating them completely. The process may take time but this is the only solution.

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AHAQ

Sep 26, 2017 12:44am

A balanced statement but advising Trump is like hitting a brick wall.

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Patriot

Sep 26, 2017 12:48am

Atleast somebody is representing the nation - govt fast asleep

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Zulfiqar

Sep 26, 2017 01:03am

Obama administration had already agreed to do just that over a year and a half ago. This administration has backed off on that policy .

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Sep 26, 2017 01:12am

Like Trump will listen to IK

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Mushtaq Ahmed

Sep 26, 2017 01:14am

Advising Trump is like talking to a wall

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Gramscian

Sep 26, 2017 01:37am

He is talking about Afghan Taliban. The US has been trying for some time to negotiate with them

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Muhammad

Sep 26, 2017 02:51am

Wrong again, used to have similar stance about TTP also.

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Sep 26, 2017 03:23am

The way to bring peace to the regions by dialogue. Might will never win the war, it may win the battle I urge president Trump to head to Khans suggestions Take Pakistan into confidence by extending hand of friendship and loyalty and support to people of Pakistan and in turn seek its help to bring Taliban to the table. Who were are defeating and killing, already dead. You can not kill walking dead, who has nothing to lose. We are losing innocent lives

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Sep 26, 2017 04:13am

Taliban did the 911. US will not forget.

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Dr. Doctor

Sep 26, 2017 05:00am

Why doesn't IK pick up the phone and make the phone call or make a conference call between him Trump and Taliban. Making statements to feed social media is not going to help. Actions speak louder than words.

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Roshansingh Batra

Sep 26, 2017 05:59am

US will never surrender to your thoughts.

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Sep 26, 2017 06:09am

Why doesn't he urge Taliban to give up arms? Drones talk to guns and leaders talk to civilians.

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Maher HASAN NY,USA

Sep 26, 2017 06:16am

Pentagon will let Drones do the talking...

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Maverik

Sep 26, 2017 06:21am

Let's be clear: There is NO military solution to Afghanistan. Taliban aren't fro Mars, they too are from Afghanistan. It's a matter of record that the Taliban tried to surrender and negotiate their return to Afghan politics on various occasions during the past 16 years, only to be disappointed or "droned" by the US and it's stooges in Kabul. It's plenty clear by now that the US doesn't want an end to this conflict, and neither do its puppets in Kabul.

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Sep 26, 2017 06:34am

He can only tweet.

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Ali

Sep 26, 2017 06:43am

Niazi is, was, will always be a Taliban apologist

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aga Khan

Sep 26, 2017 07:39am

Pure hog-wash and useless- IK has and had always sympathy towards 'good' Taliban.

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Kool

Sep 26, 2017 07:47am

Principles of Taliban are not Human .

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Abdul Majeed Sheikh

Sep 26, 2017 08:34am

The only sane voice; if heard will bring peace to the region. Afghan Taliban are realities fighting USSR and now US aggression for almost two decades. If all the might of US and NATO can not win the hearts and soul with daisy cutters and mother of all bombs try negotiations foes of yesterday can be friends of today

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Vikas

Sep 26, 2017 02:02pm

What a silly joke

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