Peace discourse: Ghulam Bilour calls for ‘immediate’ talks with Taliban

Says the federal government should make serious efforts without any delay.

PESHAWAR:

MNA and Awami National Party (ANP) leader Ghulam Ahmad Bilour has urged the government to immediately initiate talks with the Taliban in order to establish peace in the country.

Addressing journalists following Eidul Azha prayers in Peshawar on Wednesday, Bilour said if the federal government failed in the dialogue, it would spell destruction for Pukhtuns.

Clarifying his party’s stance, Bilour said ANP was in favour of dialogue with the Taliban and the process should begin without any delay. “The government should make serious efforts for the restoration of peace in Pakistan,” he said.

The ANP leader also criticised the federal government’s policies, claiming it had failed to provide any relief to the masses. He criticised the increase in prices of petroleum products and electricity.

Bilour also criticised the provincial government, saying the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had failed to bring change in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. “Their change is only for wealthy people, not for the common public,” said Bilour, adding the administration had removed pushcarts from roadsides in order to make the roads cleaner for cars of the rich.

He maintained the nation should celebrate Eidul Azha with other Muslim countries. “Muslims all over celebrate Eid after Hajj while we celebrate it two days later.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 19^th, 2013.