Peace talks: PTI appeals for an ‘immediate ceasefire’

Says talks for peace in Pakistan are ‘in serious jeopardy because of a lack of a ceasefire’.

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has condemned the murder of 23 Frontier Corps soldiers who were kidnapped in 2010.

According to a statement issued by the party’s core committee, talks for peace in Pakistan are ‘in serious jeopardy because of a lack of a ceasefire’ – such a decision ‘should have been the first concrete step in the dialogue’, the committee stated.

The party added that the unabated attacks on civilians and security personnel have stalled the peace process, saying ‘dialogue can proceed only when the killing and violence stop and there is a condemnation of acts of violence and the perpetrators’.

The PTI reiterated its belief in negotiations as decided upon by the APC, but added that ‘we cannot ignore the death of innocent people’.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2014.