Pakistani PM to take parties into confidence on Taliban talks

Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, on Saturday said he would take all parties into confidence about the talks with the armed Taliban militants. The Prime Minister's statement came just hours after the opposition leader, Khurshid Shah, said the government has not shared anything about the dialogue with the armed militants. The country's all major political and religious parties at a government-sponsored conference last month had unanimously called up the government to initiate talks with the Taliban to end the bloodshed. The opposition leader said he has written a letter to the Prime Minister and said one-and-a-half month has passed since the parties had suggested peace talks but the government has not taken any step to inform them about the development. Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, has directed that all political parties be taken into confidence with regard to the progress of dialogue with the Taliban, the PM office said Saturday. The Prime Minister said all political parties had mandated the government through the All Parties Conference (APC) to hold dialogue with the Taliban. The representatives of different political parties should feel as part of the process, Nawaz Sharif said in a meeting with Interior Minister, Ch. Nisar Ali Khan. Sources meanwhile said the Prime Minister has asked the Interior Minister to contact the leaders of political parties and take them into confidence on the talks. Official sources said Nawaz Sharif is likely to speak at the parliament soon to take the house into confidence on his recent visit to the United States. Some opposition parties say delay in talks with the Taliban has increased attacks in the country's northwest, which claimed nearly 200 people over the past two months. Taliban chief, Hakimullah Mehsood, said this month the government has not yet formed any team for the talks. Some political observers said Taliban preconditions for talks have also caused delay in the process. Taliban spokesman, Shahidullah Shahid, said Taliban want withdrawal of troops from the tribal regions, release of Taliban detainees and halt to the U.S. drone strikes in Waziristan region. Army Chief, General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, this month opposed the Taliban condition in a rare statement on the issue and said the militants cannot impose their demands through coercion. Consensus had previously emerged in Pakistan about talks with the Taliban, but some recent attacks had spoiled environment for the process. However, the government said it still wants dialogue process. The powerful army supported the government's policy and said peace should be given a chance. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had indicted during his recent visit to the United States that his government is going to open dialogue with the Taliban.