Will support govt stance on tackling terrorism: Shah

ISLAMABAD: Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Khursheed Shah said Monday that the government’s stance on tackling terrorism would be supported.

During the National Assembly session, Shah initiated debate on the president’s address to the joint session of parliament. Shah said that the government would be supported whether they decided to hold talks or use force against the Taliban.

Shah added that the nation was astonished when the government took a $7 billion loan within its first week. The opposition leader appealed to the government to not drown the nation in debt.

Shah also prayed that the government would complete its five year tenure and stay on the path of prosperity.

In his first televised address to the nation since assuming office, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif extended an olive branch to militants by inviting them for dialogue. In an interview on Geo News program ‘Jirga’ Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar dismissed reports of any preconditions being set for talks, saying that this would deter the process.

The offer for dialogue also created a rift within the ranks of the Taliban. The offer was welcomed by Punjabi Taliban chief, Asmatullah Muawiya but resulted in his sacking by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Muawiya rejected the sacking stating the Punjabi Taliban had their own decision making body and the stance of the TTP was not binding on them.