Govt aware of ‘good, bad’ Taliban: Rashid

Minister says APS attack ‘different matter’, confirms talks under way with TTP

KARACHI:

Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid on Saturday said the incumbent government was aware of the "good and bad Taliban" and the matter of the individuals involved in the attack on the Army Public School (APS) Peshawar in December 2014 was “different”.

Speaking to the media after meeting with the spiritual leader of the Bohra Community Syedna Muffadal Saifuddin in Karachi, the minister confirmed Prime Minister Imran Khan's statement that high-level talks were under way with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

A day earlier, during an interview with the TRT World, Prime Minister Imran Khan had revealed that the government was in the process of dialogue with some factions of the TTP for “peace and reconciliation”.

"There are different groups which form the TTP and we are in talks with some of the groups," he added.

Read As talks advance, TTP announces ceasefire

Rashid said terrorist activities would not be allowed to occur again at any cost and the whole nation stood shoulder to shoulder against it.

“The international political scenario is changing.”

He further said that no power could bypass Pakistan. "Pakistan wants an inclusive government in Afghanistan."

Rashid said the Pakistan foreign minister and his US counterpart were in contact on the situation in Afghanistan.

"We are ready to even initiate talks with India over the issue of [Indian Illegally] Occupied [Jammu and] Kashmir.”

Responding to a question regarding US President Joe Biden's visit, he said: “We would welcome anyone who visits us but would also send peace on those who don't.”

Read more Imran Khan vindicated for prescient position on Afghanistan: FT

He noted that the Americans were unaware of the Afghan situation and President Biden should respond to their queries.

On the appointment of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) chairman, the minister said it would be decided this week.

PM Imran, he added, was rather worried about the current levels of inflation in the country.

“The prime minister is aware of the prices of wheat flour, pulses and sugar and has directed the finance minister to reduce them to give relief to the people.”

The minister said that he was going to meet the heads of different schools of thought.

He added that he had also invited the leader of the Bohra community to visit Rawalpindi as he had a number of followers there.

Replying to a query about the PML-N, Rashid said the party was corrupt and had looted money.
“These corrupt people don’t have a future. The next prime minister would also be Imran Khan.”

(With input from APP)