File photo of K-P Governor Engineer Shaukatullah Khan. PHOTO: FILE
PESHAWAR: The drone strike which killed Hakimullah Mehsud has dealt a blow to Pakistan’s peace efforts, however, the government is still willing to stick to the negotiation strategy to restore peace, said Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shaukatullah Khan on Monday.
Speaking to the media at a ceremony organised to mark the National Day of Turkey, Governor Khan said the federal government intends to hold peace talks and Interior Minister Chaudry Nisar Ali has formulated a roadmap for this purpose.
“There are laws to halt Nato supplies going through Pakistan and any decision the federal government reaches will be taken in light of the country’s law,” said Khan. “Whenever the government intends to negotiate, a major incident occurs, creating difficulties for it,” he lamented.
The Turkish National Day ceremony was organised by Ambassador to Turkey Saleem Saifullah Khan, who is also the chief of Pakistan Muslim League-Likeminded, a breakaway faction of PML-Q.
Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey in Pakistan, S Babur Girgin, various senior officials from Turkey and the provincial government were in attendance on the occasion.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Saleem said talks must be held with the Taliban and the process should not be disrupted. “Civilised societies don’t talk of wars. Instead, they settle all issues through negotiations,” he stated.
Saleem went on to add the US has its own interests and Pakistan should not comply with American dictates. “We should focus on our own interests and find a way to overcome national challenges,” he said.
Talking about Pak-Turk relations, Saleem said the ties of both countries were time-tested and they needed to explore ways to further strengthen relations.
Ambassador Girgin also addressed the media at the event. He said the Ummah faced various challenges and Islamic countries need to keep a united stand.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th,2013.
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