No preconditions for talks with Taliban: Nisar

ISLAMABAD: With Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif extending an olive branch to the Taliban during his first televised address since assuming office, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar has clarified that there was no precondition for the Taliban to lay down arms before dialogue could be held.

“If conditions are set by both sides up front, dialogue will not take place,” Nisar told Saleem Safi on Geo News program ‘Jirga’.

When asked about not receiving a positive response from the Taliban regarding the dialogue offer, the interior minister replied that there was mixed speculation, adding that negative things should not be highlighted.

Nisar emphasized that patience was required for dialogue, adding that thousands had lost their lives due to terrorism. “There has been widespread destruction during the last 13 years. Losses have been incurred on both sides,” Nisar said.

On Saturday, a rift has emerged with the Taliban after the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan removed Punjabi Taliban chief Asmatlullah Muavia. TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid says Muavia was removed over his statement of welcoming the dialogue offer by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Rejecting the decision, Muavia says the Punjabi Taliban has its own decision making body and the TTP has no authority to remove him.