Taliban ask Imran to be mediator with Pak govt - Pakistan - World - The Times of India
LAHORE: Pakistan Taliban commanders have contacted cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan to broker peace talks with the government.
"The Taliban have contacted me for peace negotiations with the government. But I will play the mediator's role only if the government gives its consent," Khan said on Wednesday. He did not mention which faction of the Taliban had contacted him.
Khan, who heads the Tehrik-e-Insaaf party, has opposed military operations against the Taliban and other militant groups. He had earlier offered to act as a mediator between the Taliban and Islamabad, but the government did not respond, although the rebels in Swat had welcomed the offer. He had come under fire from PPP leaders and sections of the media for his "pro-Taliban" stance.
Interior minister Rehman Malik has made it clear that the government will not talk to the Taliban or other terrorists unless they surrender.
LAHORE: Pakistan Taliban commanders have contacted cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan to broker peace talks with the government.
"The Taliban have contacted me for peace negotiations with the government. But I will play the mediator's role only if the government gives its consent," Khan said on Wednesday. He did not mention which faction of the Taliban had contacted him.
Khan, who heads the Tehrik-e-Insaaf party, has opposed military operations against the Taliban and other militant groups. He had earlier offered to act as a mediator between the Taliban and Islamabad, but the government did not respond, although the rebels in Swat had welcomed the offer. He had come under fire from PPP leaders and sections of the media for his "pro-Taliban" stance.
Interior minister Rehman Malik has made it clear that the government will not talk to the Taliban or other terrorists unless they surrender.