Taliban not serious about peace talks: Malik
Says Taliban named a nominated murderer and proclaimed offender for negotiations.
Rehman Malik calls uopn Taliban to nominate their real representatives. PHOTO: PID / FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Saturday called upon the Taliban to nominate their real representatives if they are serious about negotiations with the government.
Malik said the Taliban have nominated Adnan Rashid, a proclaimed offender, for holding talks with the government on their behalf. Rashid had escaped from police custody in Bannu, and was the mastermind behind an assassination attempt on former president Pervez Musharraf in 2003.
“The Taliban have nominated a murderer and proclaimed offender for talks,” he told media representative on Saturday.
Malik also advised the militia’s factions to cobble together a team for negotiations.
The minister said the government would welcome any Taliban move to initiate the dialogue process before the upcoming elections.
Answering a question‚ the interior minister said Pakistan wants good relations with India on the basis of equality. To a question, he said the hanging of Muhammad Afzal Guru was the decision of the Indian court‚ hence he will not comment on it.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2013.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Saturday called upon the Taliban to nominate their real representatives if they are serious about negotiations with the government.
Malik said the Taliban have nominated Adnan Rashid, a proclaimed offender, for holding talks with the government on their behalf. Rashid had escaped from police custody in Bannu, and was the mastermind behind an assassination attempt on former president Pervez Musharraf in 2003.
“The Taliban have nominated a murderer and proclaimed offender for talks,” he told media representative on Saturday.
Malik also advised the militia’s factions to cobble together a team for negotiations.
The minister said the government would welcome any Taliban move to initiate the dialogue process before the upcoming elections.
Answering a question‚ the interior minister said Pakistan wants good relations with India on the basis of equality. To a question, he said the hanging of Muhammad Afzal Guru was the decision of the Indian court‚ hence he will not comment on it.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2013.