Condemnation: TTP dialogue plans come unstuck, says PM

Says will take action against terrorists after consultation, devise a security plan for minorities’ worship places.


Our Correspondent September 23, 2013
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD:


A visibly upset Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif announced on Sunday that his government could no longer move ahead with the all parties conference-endorsed plan for talks with the Taliban following Sunday’s twin bombings in a Peshawar church.


“Such incidents do not augur well for negotiations,” he told reporters in London ahead of his flight to New York, where he is scheduled to attend the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly. “Unfortunately, because of this, the government is unable to move forward on what it had envisaged, on what it had wished for.”

At the same time, he instructed the authorities concerned to devise a new security plan for the worship places of the country’s religious minorities.

“We had proposed peace talks with the Taliban in good faith, and with the consent of all political parties… but unfortunately, because of this [attack] the government is unable to move forward on what it had envisaged, on what it had wished for,” he said.

Prime Minister Nawaz said those who carried out the gruesome attack had violated the tenets of Islam.

“Terrorists have no religion… targeting innocent people is against the teachings of Islam and all religions,” he said.

“Such cruel acts of terrorism reflect the brutality and inhumane mindset of the terrorists,” he added.

Terming those responsible for the attack ‘enemies of Pakistan’, the premier said the government will take action against extremist elements in the country after consulting all sides on the matter.

Earlier, before leaving Pakistan, Prime Minister Nawaz said he was going to the UN General Assembly in New York “as a leader of a responsible democratic nation”.

“We are a peaceful nation and want to enhance economic cooperation, trade and investment in Pakistan. I will share my vision of a progressive, democratic and developed Pakistan, which has the desire to live at peace with its neighbors,” he said in a statement ahead of his departure.

“I will meet world leaders and heads of states to improve economic, political and strategic relationships with them,” he added.

The 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly will be held from September 23 (today) to September 29. Prime Minister Nawaz will address the session on September 27.

In his address to the UN General Assembly, the premier will highlight Pakistan’s foreign policy guidelines and its point of view on different regional and international issues.

He will also hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders, including his Indian counterpart, Manmohan Singh, on the sidelines of the General Assembly session.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 23rd, 2013.

COMMENTS (33)

mithidada | 10 years ago | Reply

@SK: I was replying to the comments of Faisal. I personally do not think there is any group that wants peace and I agree with you fully that the final and only solution is to go for the total eradication of these extremist militants. However, I doubt if the entire nation would be behind such action, much as you and I would support it. The supporters of the PTI and other religious parties would raise a hue and cry and that is what, I think, is holding both the government and the army back. There may even be some among the PML-N who may not support all out action. Till there is across the board support, it is very difficult to take military action and that lack of across the board support is what has resulted in past military actions not being as successful as they could have been. I do not think that the PTI, the JUI-F or JI would ever support military action, no matter what. And that is Pakistan's dilemma.

SK | 10 years ago | Reply

@mithidada: Just let this nation know which group want peace and which wants war. So that the security forces can go after the one who aren't for peace. Can you identify the belligerent from peace loving. Until that becomes clear all Talibans are same. These factions know that if they came up with clear political stand for peace the other belligerent groups who wants to impose their crude agendas may break away from them and lead to internal conflict with in. Thus triggering the demise of Talibanism.

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