Tackling militancy: Govt to exhaust all options before using force, says officials
Nawaz discusses possible Taliban peace talks with army, ISI chiefs.
According to sources Kayani briefed the premier on the current situation and suggested he tread a careful path while pursuing peace talks. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The government will exhaust all options to give peace a chance before taking any decision to use force against the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), according to officials.
The decision was taken by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a meeting with army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Inter-Services Intelligence Director General Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam on Friday.
The high-level huddle took place against the backdrop of fading hopes of peace talks with the TTP after the group claimed responsibility for the killing of senior army officers, including a major general and lieutenant colonel, last Sunday.
Officially, nothing was said about the meeting, sources told The Express Tribune that the prime minister discussed the prospects of the peace process with the army and ISI chiefs. Kayani briefed the premier on the current situation and suggested he tread a careful path while pursuing peace talks, they said.
Following the killing of senior army officers, Kayani had cautioned that terrorists would not be allowed to take advantage of the government’s peace overtures and said the military had ‘the ability and the will’ to take the fight to militants. He said the army would not let terrorists coerce the country into accepting their terms.
While the government had condemned the attacks, it avoided making any direct reference to their impact on possible peace talks. Sources said that PM Nawaz wanted to implement the decision of the APC on pursuing talks with the TTP.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2013.
The government will exhaust all options to give peace a chance before taking any decision to use force against the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), according to officials.
The decision was taken by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a meeting with army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Inter-Services Intelligence Director General Lt Gen Zaheerul Islam on Friday.
The high-level huddle took place against the backdrop of fading hopes of peace talks with the TTP after the group claimed responsibility for the killing of senior army officers, including a major general and lieutenant colonel, last Sunday.
Officially, nothing was said about the meeting, sources told The Express Tribune that the prime minister discussed the prospects of the peace process with the army and ISI chiefs. Kayani briefed the premier on the current situation and suggested he tread a careful path while pursuing peace talks, they said.
Following the killing of senior army officers, Kayani had cautioned that terrorists would not be allowed to take advantage of the government’s peace overtures and said the military had ‘the ability and the will’ to take the fight to militants. He said the army would not let terrorists coerce the country into accepting their terms.
While the government had condemned the attacks, it avoided making any direct reference to their impact on possible peace talks. Sources said that PM Nawaz wanted to implement the decision of the APC on pursuing talks with the TTP.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 21st, 2013.