SWABI: A breakthrough was expected in brokering talks between Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and the government, said Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl central deputy chief Maulana Gul Naseeb.

Addressing a conference organised by JUI-F here on Thursday, he said that the stage was set for holding negotiations with Taliban that would bear positive results.

Mr Nasseb said that the all-party conference, convened by JUI-F recently, empowered a jirga of tribal elders to facilitate dialogue with Taliban under the guidance of political and religious leadership to restore peace in the country.

JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and members of the jirga had already held a meeting with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor, who agreed to facilitate talks between government and Taliban, he added.

Mr Naseeb said that the all-party conference of JUI-F was a big success as his party succeeded to get the support of mainstream political parties. The declaration of the conference was also welcomed by Taliban, he added.

“We made all out efforts to get support of people. The great achievement of our party is that it has taken all political leaders onboard and they have advocated devising a peace formula acceptable to all the stakeholders,” the JUI-F leader said.

He said that a breakthrough was expected in the talks between the government and Taliban. “The stage has been set for negotiations, which will be a turning point,” Mr Naseeb said.

Addressing on the occasion, former provincial minister Maulana Fazl Ali said that JUI-F engaged all the stakeholders and Maulana Fazlur Rehman also met with American Ambassador Richard Olson in that regard.

He said that JUI-F wanted to bring all stakeholders on the same page to make the dialogue productive and restore peace.

Mr Ali said that the next general elections in the country were critical for the nation. “The country’s future, economic prosperity, solidarity and integrity all are linked with the outcomes of the elections,” he said.The former minister said that people should vote only for the honest leadership. JUI-F was striving to educate people about the importance of vote and a mass contact campaign was already kicked off by its leaders, he said.

Mr Ali criticised Awami National Party and Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf, saying the former indulged in corruption and the latter did not enjoy support of people. — Correspondent