Peace talks with TTP over, Chaudhry Nisar laments

Prospect of dialogue with militants "unfortunately" no longer possible after drone strike, Nisar says.

ISLAMABAD: Lamenting the end of peace talks, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan alluded to a larger conspiracy aimed at disrupting talks with the Taliban, culminating in the drone strike on Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Chief Hakimullah Mehsud.

Briefing members of parliament on the status of talks with the TTP, the interior minister said the prospect of dialogue with the militants was "unfortunately" no longer possible.

He said the team formed to initiate the dialogue was meant to set off to meet the TTP today, but all hopes of dialogue had come to an end with the killing of Mehsud.

Nisar commended all the political parties for uniting to pursue peace talks, and showing patience despite ongoing attacks. He said evidence had been gathered for the Qissa Khawani attack, the Peshawar church attack and the killing of Major General Sanaullah Niazi, adding that the timing of these acts of terrorism was suspect.

He also thanked the Army which, "went the extra mile" to protect the peace dialogue, despite the grave security situation that was developing.

The interior minister did however blast the local media for its irresponsible reporting on the issue of peace talks, adding that he remained silent during "dangerous" misreporting and leaks at the time due to the sensitive nature of the issue.