Nisar invites Taliban to play cricket match

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan says establishing peace in Pakistan is the top priority and any option can be used for this purpose.

In reply to a question over playing a cricket match with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Nisar said there were reports of several Taliban members being fans of cricket. “If you (reporters) can pass a message to the Taliban about playing a cricket match, the result will be positive.”

Interior Minister Nisar did not confirm nor deny the killing of TTP commander Asmatullah Shaheen.

AFP Adds: The Taliban rejected the offer to swap their guns for cricket bats and play a match for peace, saying the sport was responsible for turning youth away from jihad.

Speaking to AFP by telephone from an undisclosed location, Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said his group would refuse to play ball.