GUJRAT: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain has said Prime Minister Imran Khan has given a new agenda of reconciliation to bring those elements in the national mainstream who, in the past, were de-tracked by the forces inimical to Pakistan.

Addressing a public gathering at Pind Dadan Khan on Saturday, he said for a durable peace it was imperative to hold talks with those elements who were ready to surrender arms and believed in the rule of law and supremacy of the Constitution.

PM Khan had told Turkish TV channel TRT a day earlier that Pakistan was holding talks with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan and offered pardon to the militant outfit if they relinquish militancy.

Fawad says ‘novices’ leading PPP, PML-N can’t grasp global politics

The minister said more than 3,000 disgruntled Baloch youths had surrendered arms and rejoined the national mainstream.

He said the PM’s step [pardon offer to the banned TTP] was vital to save the new generation from terrorism and violence and pave the way for a stronger Pakistan.

He said the leadership of other political parties, including the PPP and the PML-N, was in the hands of “political novices” like Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Maryam Safdar “who had no experience and could not understand complexities of global politics”.

The minister appealed to senior leaders of both the parties not to follow them as Pakistan was not a monarchy and leaders could not be chosen on the basis of “wills or telephone calls”.

Fawad said Pakistan was lucky to have a leader of the stature of Prime Minister Imran Khan whose voice was heard all over the world.

“The international community was looking towards Prime Minister Imran Khan’s sagacity for resolution of regional problems”, he said.

“When Imran Khan speaks on environment, Afghanistan, Kashmir or Palestine issues, not only the Muslims Ummah but entire international community also pays heed to him.” The minister said during the past couple of weeks over a dozen world leaders telephoned.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2021