Parliamentarians react to announcement of Taliban talks

ISLAMABAD: Parliamentarians voiced their opinions in and outside the National Assembly over Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s announcement to give peace another chance and form a four member committee to initiate dialogue with the Taliban.

Opposition leader in the National Assembly, Khursheed Shah sought a time frame for the dialogue process, stating that the duration should not be long.

MQM leader Farooq Sattar said a clear message should be given to the nation and talks should not be considered as the only option. “There have been 21 terror attacks after the death of Hakimullah Mehsud in a US drone strike,” Sattar said.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman, Imran Khan welcomed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s announcement and said this time around developments in the dialogue process should not be kept secret.

JUI-F Chief, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would be provided all possible support during the dialogue process with the Taliban. Maulana Fazul Rehman changed his tune outside parliament and told reporters the impression was that decisions were not being made by parliament nor was the government authorized to make them.