Interior Minister Rehman Malik. — File Photo

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday said dialogues have already been offered to the Pakistani Taliban but these cannot happen unless the militants throw away their arms and give up terrorism.

“There is nothing formal regarding talks with the Taliban. The Taliban usually send messages to us and I also sometimes convey them a message so that peace could prevail. But it is clear that if the Taliban want to shake hands with us they would have to get rid of their arms,” he said.

The minister was responding to questions raised after inaugurating a ceremony where 50 new Mobile Registration Vans (MRVs) were added in the fleet of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to facilitate the population settled in remote areas.

“Few days back we received a message from the Taliban for talks and yes we also offered them. We are happy they have realised that killing innocent people is wrong and the only way forward is the path of peace,” he said.

The minister said he could not say much on the issue and added that all the stakeholders would sit together to find an amicable solution.

Opinion

Editorial

Energy inflation
Updated 23 May, 2024

Energy inflation

The widening gap between the haves and have-nots is already tearing apart Pakistan’s social fabric.
Culture of violence
23 May, 2024

Culture of violence

WHILE political differences are part of the democratic process, there can be no justification for such disagreements...
Flooding threats
23 May, 2024

Flooding threats

WITH temperatures in GB and KP forecasted to be four to six degrees higher than normal this week, the threat of...
Bulldozed bill
Updated 22 May, 2024

Bulldozed bill

Where once the party was championing the people and their voices, it is now devising new means to silence them.
Out of the abyss
22 May, 2024

Out of the abyss

ENFORCED disappearances remain a persistent blight on fundamental human rights in the country. Recent exchanges...
Holding Israel accountable
22 May, 2024

Holding Israel accountable

ALTHOUGH the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor wants arrest warrants to be issued for Israel’s prime...