CHARSADDA, Oct 9: Federal Interior Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has said negotiations are the only way to deal with the Taliban, both in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Addressing a big public meeting in the Jinday Pul area of Tangi, Mr Sherpao said that Islamabad had no option but to start negotiations with the Taliban.

He said the Pakhtuns could never be subdued through use of force. He praised the Pak-Afghan jirga and said that similar moves would help improve the law and order situation both in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He came hard on the MMA and said the religious alliance got votes from the poor masses in the name of Islam but after coming into power completely ignored the imposition of Sharia. He said that the NWFP chief minister had no option but to dissolve the NWFP Assembly.