Local government polls: After K-P, PTI contemplates joining hands with JI in Sindh

Information minister says giving the Taliban an office in Pakistan could solve many issues.

PESHAWAR:

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is thinking about joining hands with coalition partner Jamaat-e-Islami’s chapter in Sindh for the impending local government (LG) elections, said Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shah Farman on Saturday. The two parties have already announced their cooperation in the polls in K-P.

An official announcement, however, has not been made yet as the party still has to discuss options with other political parties, including the Awami Jamhoori Ittehad Pakistan (AJIP), Farman said at Peshawar Press Club’s guest hour programme. He added the government would try to facilitate journalists as much as it could.

While responding to a question about certain PTI MPAs’ opposition to the alliance, Farman said nothing had been finalised. He maintained the party’s MPAs were free to raise objections over the strategy for the upcoming local government elections in the province.



Talking to the Taliban

According to Farman, the federal government was not taking any steps for initiating the negotiation process with the Taliban. He added that the centre had not outlined a clear strategy on talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The minister said giving the Taliban an office in Pakistan could solve many issues. He added the PTI had also asked for one earlier.

“We have always emphasised that it is important to hold negotiations with the Taliban, stop drone strikes, review the foreign policy and implement parliament’s resolution to establish peace in the country,” he said.

Responding to a question on the attacks on polio teams, he said the government was well aware of the situation, and would ensure safety of the polio workers and medical staff.

Letter to the PM

When asked about the K-P chief minister’s letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif over the issue of the US drone campaign, Farman said that the government had not responded as yet.

He said the PTI-led government was committed to eliminate corruption, establish rule of law and have an independent media.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 29^th, 2013.