ISLAMABAD (TIP): Despite a wave of deadly attacks unleashed by the Taliban across the country in recent months, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on January 29 announced the formation of a four-member committee to pursue peace talks with the militants.
In a speech in the National Assembly, Sharif said terrorism must be defeated either by talks or force, but promised to give peace another chance. “I am sure the whole nation would stand behind the government if and when we launch a military operation against the terrorists, but I want to give peace a final chance,” he told lawmakers, adding that bitter experiences of the past had propelled the government to launch talks.
“Acts of terror must stop. Terrorism and talks cannot continue simultaneously,” he said before announcing the formation of a four-member committee of nonparliamentarians to initiate the dialogue process between the government and militants.