Imran Khan calls for Taliban, forces ceasefire

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan Monday warned that the Taliban attacks could derail peace talks. He also called for ceasefire between the Taliban and the security forces.  

Talking to the media he said that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) bomb attack on senior army officers in Upper Dir on Sunday could be seen as a major setback for the yet-to-begin dialogue process.

The bomb attack had killed Maj Gen Sanaullah Niazi along with a Lt. Col and another soldier.

Imran Khan said that everyone wants peace but TTP showed extremism by carrying out the attack.

Condemning the attack, he said that he was shocked at the assassination of the top army officers.

He said it is a good opportunity to achieve peace as all mainstream political parties are united on the peace process and unanimous views emerged in the last week’s All Parties Conference (APC).

The APC had called upon the government to initiate talks with the militants and other stakeholders. 

He said attacks would reduce chances of the talks and then there would be no choice left to pursue the dialogue process.  

There is no progress in the TTP-Govt talks since the September 9 APC and the TTP attacks on Sunday have complicated the situation.

Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani Monday said that Taliban should not be allowed to set the terms of the talk and has asserted that military has the will and the ability to take the fight to the militants.

The TTP has demanded release of its prisoners and withdrawal of the security forces from all tribal regions.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Sep 16 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.