E-Paper | February 28, 2026

No enmity with the Taliban, says PTI CM-designate

Zahir Shah Sherazi Published May 17, 2013
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Pervez Khattak speaking to media in Peshawar. -Photo by Zahir Shah Sherazi

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) senior leader and soon-to-be Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pervez Khattak on Friday said that the coming provincial government was ready to hold talks with the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants.

We have no enmity with the Taliban, said the PTI central Secretary General. He said the Taliban were also Pakistanis and that they request the militant group to hold peace talks and work for peace in the region.

"We appeal to Taliban that we are not  at war with you, this province is yours and we are hopeful you will work for its peace.

"We are not against anyone and not here to fight anyone, we want peace and development in our province and we want to talk to them, " he said.

Pervaiz  Khattak also said that they should be given a chance to settle the problem.

"Our request to them is that we want peace in the province and that they should extend to us their help," Khattak said.

Pakistan

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Mukhar
May 19, 2013 03:14am
And what is wrong with that? Don't we all want to be true muslims and Islamic?
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Ali
May 19, 2013 02:19pm
anyone with minimal knowledge of history can answer that. to start, Pakistan changes it foreign policy and sided with nato's 'war of terror', and was a key party in attacking Afghanistan and its northern areas. when its rulers accepted billion of dollars of "aid" in their pockets, they cared less who they are killing, and who is being killed. so the true insaaf is that Pakistan should change its policies to align with region, instead of aligning it for the interest of out siders.
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Satyameva Jayate
May 19, 2013 09:02am
The 'I' in PTI is Insaf.(justice). To start its Governing life, "We have no enmity with the Taliban" is the 'Insaf' it is giving to the fathers, mothers, sons and daughters of 47,000 innocent Pakistanis killed by the Taliban and their affiliates. If this is the Start, how will it end? Even IK cannot answer that!
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Satyameva Jayate
May 19, 2013 09:04am
Truly honest. Honestly true.
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ifti
May 18, 2013 08:57pm
Altaf, of course !
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ifti
May 18, 2013 08:59pm
Right, to pathans, to others, this is going to be PTIs arm wing !
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Ali
May 19, 2013 10:08am
enemy is the one who asked us to attack and kill our own in the first place. enemy is the one who we beg for money and in return do what they ask us to do.
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Ali
May 19, 2013 10:09am
what they remember is that Pakistan army got the money and orders from its masters and attacked and killed lot of more, after which, Pakistan started getting the blowback.
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paki
May 18, 2013 08:21am
it seems a good move b/c fight and terror will never solve the problem. if they sit lots of problem can be resolved and atleast the province can get release from these blasts. Good attempt!
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Ayaz
May 18, 2013 12:44am
Taliban have been killing Pakhtuns on daily basis over the past 7 years .... And this moron has no problem with that. So this is what PTI stands for...
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Satyameva Jayate
May 19, 2013 09:20am
'Der aaye. Darust aaye'.
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Syed
May 19, 2013 04:56am
wise move...as we all are aware of the fact that war against terrorism has so far been proved a fail option..instead of resolving the issue it has given rise to number of problems. Remember one thing change is a gradual process.
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313 Al-Badr
May 19, 2013 05:00am
TTP in KPK is equivalent to MQM in Karachi - both terrorise ordinary citizens. However, had the gun been a solution, we would not see a rise in the power of TTP - agreed that there are foreign elements involved - same as in the case of MQM. So if the intent is to cleanse country of terrorism through guns and military action only, then a military action should be taken against all such extremist elements across the board without any differentiation!
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El Cid
May 18, 2013 09:11pm
There are always two sides to any equation. I am encouraged that some in Pakistan, like you, too can appreciate that. Dialogue is the first and most constructive way to face an 'argument' or disagreement. Thank You.
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Ayaz
May 18, 2013 10:25pm
They have no option but to put with these terrorists ...
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Syed Imam
May 19, 2013 07:10am
In the "Naya Pakistan", murderers and criminals will provide peace and security to the government.
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Syed Imam
May 19, 2013 06:56am
Muslims don't blow-up mosques, shrines, prayer gatherings and carry out atrocities against men, women, children and older people. Muslims don't blow-up schools either. Taliban are neither Pakistanis nor they are Muslims. They are in fact enemy of Pakistan and Islam. It is disgusting to see how some are supporting and justifying their behavior.
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Sali
May 19, 2013 05:48am
Mixed signals and division between politicians for little gain is what's causing Jahilans to run around and murder everyone who doesn't agree with them. Shame on PTI for cuddling with people who have mass murdered their own school girls, Pak army soldiers , and fellow country means.
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MAK
May 19, 2013 04:08am
Americans never negotiate with terrorists who attack their country. Americans have never negotiated with Al Qaeda. Talibans are not a direct threat to them and that's why they held dialogue with Taliban to bring peace in the Afghan region. Pakistan should never negotiate with the terrorists who are a direct threat to them. Negotiation with the cuckoo-minded only gives them leverage and confidence. Negotiation with Taliban is the worst policy of PTI so far.
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Aryan
May 18, 2013 07:01pm
Voilence breeds voilence!!great move by PTI !!!lookng foward to a new kpk !!
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Khan
May 18, 2013 06:24pm
Amreeka of course.
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Khan
May 18, 2013 06:27pm
Because America just wants out of Afghanistan at this point, the Americans don't have Taliban living among them in their own country like Pakistan does. The Taliban are a bigger problem for Pakistan than any other country.
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Khan
May 18, 2013 06:30pm
no need for attacks anymore, they are in control of KP. the Punjab and federal governments should negotiate with them too so we can have the Taliban in the national assembly and making our laws, at least it will be 'peaceful'.
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Khan
May 18, 2013 06:19pm
Naya Pakistan!, Terrorists are to be treated like regular citizens!
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Khan
May 18, 2013 06:18pm
So Pashtoon society accepts shooting a 14 year old girl in the face?
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SK
May 18, 2013 06:07pm
This one leads to think this is perhaps the real agenda of Imran Khan too. Hell hath no fury - and self righteousness - than that of a born again catholic er, Muslim.
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mughees
May 18, 2013 05:19pm
you always give dialogue a chance. if america can go for dialogue with Taliban why cant we? its truly a wise call, first we need to address the cause of .this militancy as it wasn't before and its increasing day by day. like wise poverty cant be killed by only killing the poors same goes with it too. inshallah with these dialogues change will come
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MA
May 18, 2013 07:35am
Tabdeelee aa gaee............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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MHAnsari
May 18, 2013 04:01pm
TTP killed 50,000 Pakistanis and over 4500 army men. If they are friends who is the enemy?
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haris
May 18, 2013 12:32pm
Americans and Europeans are asking the same question to their respective Govts. How can YOU be friends with and outlawed militants and bandits in Afghanistan and Iraq, especially when they are killing local people and attacking our soldiers by the dozen each day? You know their reply? Then google it.
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NerdCrunch
May 19, 2013 03:14pm
Yes, want us to keep fighting them and forget education, economy and other important thing. It is time that we sit down with them and end this madness. Otherwise enemies of Pakistan will keep exploiting that situation.
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insafian
May 18, 2013 11:52am
PTI is right....For all those who are criticizing PTI...just imagine have PPP, ANP and other leaderships been successful in restoring peace by bombing Taliban? A big No... Negotiation is the only way to bring peace... Taliban are Pakistanis, Muslims and above all an integral part of our Pushtoon society. I wish KPK people the best of luck
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anwar
May 18, 2013 07:59am
Good move. Apparently looking weak call But it will force taliban to engage in talks with KPK govt. If they do,t they will lose ground to fight.
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Ali Khawaja (@alikhawaja_ksa)
May 18, 2013 08:03am
isn't Pakistan army the one who started the war and supporting the occupation of Afghanistan? if they are fully involved in the war, which they started, why blame the other party?
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Rizwan Ahmed
May 18, 2013 10:28am
the taliban are deviants from the extremist deobandi aqeedah combined with the takfeeri khwarij idealogy they should be told to repent or otherwise killed off
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Kashif Anwar
May 18, 2013 10:19am
This might not be the most popular move but it is a very wise one. You can always go to the other alternative if this fails. At the end, people of Pakistan are the ultimate beneficiaries.
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HASSAN
May 18, 2013 10:21am
A wise step is taken by pervez khattak and inshallah peace will be established soon in kpk. .Taliban is not a small militant group tht u can counter with d weapon but it is well organized in pakistan from three decades since soviet invading afghanistan.Remember d hallmark achievement by turkish government who has peacefully talked via Kurdistan Workers
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Hasib
May 18, 2013 12:35am
If this was the change Imran khan was talking about then to be very honest he has lost atleast our support. We dont want to talk anyone who killed Pakistani Civilians & Pakistan Army, We will never forgive those terrorist. Shame on this Pervaiz Khattak and Imran Khan Party
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haji nawab
May 18, 2013 09:52am
A wise and for reaching decision having a long term implication on the region politics especially in the context of Afghan war. wars can be won by dialogue not by more war.
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Shehryar
May 19, 2013 02:06pm
This means anyone can kill Pakistanis in their thousands and IK will have no issues
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Khan
May 19, 2013 12:57pm
Pakistan will realize later. Taliban has won . Tehreek e insaaf is a part of taliban. The strategy of killing ANP, Peoples Party and MQM is not a co incidence but a plot hatched. How could they have enmity with Taliban. WAKE UP
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Syed Hussain Akbari
May 18, 2013 09:18am
Mr. Imran Khan and Mr. Perwaiz Khattak, does it mean that you are friends of enemies. Don't you realise what these bandits have done to Pakistan. Only killings. Speak to any one who has lost a dear one by the reckless killing by Taliban or their appreciators.Why are you trying to give blood money to these terrorists? They will never stop their harming activities, Just be careful.
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Ashish (New Delhi)
May 18, 2013 06:54am
How can you be friends with an outlawed militant outfit, especially when they are killing people by the dozen each day?
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Safi Ahmed Memon (@gikiian)
May 18, 2013 06:55am
We hope this lessens the frequency of attacks by Taliban. Looks like it will.
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Safi Ahmed Memon (@gikiian)
May 18, 2013 07:04am
True. Its very wise of PTI.
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Safi Ahmed Memon (@gikiian)
May 18, 2013 07:06am
This has good chance to be a solution, because we've miserably failed earlier by not negotiating with them.
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Pavas Ambashta
May 18, 2013 04:56am
Yes, the world already knows that Pakistan has no enmity with Taliban!! Brothers in Arms perhaps!!
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akhtar
May 18, 2013 04:30am
Well done Mr Khattak I appreciate you, I support you and if you need my support for this it will be readily available. Taliban the word has been heavily misused. They are ours brothers and sons. we have no reason to fight each other. we must join hands together to make peace and build our country. our beloved home land. Keep in mind the winner through rigged poll is in the centre, in the dominant position. would he allow you?
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Furqan
May 18, 2013 03:53am
If such a weak calls this government will have for the enemies of this state, I wonder how they will run a strong government?
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El Cid
May 17, 2013 11:55pm
A brave and wise move.
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Samuel
May 17, 2013 10:38pm
Appeasing the enemies of Pakistan who have mercilessly murdered scores of innocent people....... Way to go PTI!
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Saeed
May 17, 2013 10:12pm
Unbelievable . They are killer of thousand innocent people included kids and women . Bombing school and destroying Pakistani economy and they are not enemy.
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Ali
May 17, 2013 09:56pm
As ANP, and everyone else who has tried before would say
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Fahim Khan
May 17, 2013 09:42pm
Begging to criminals instead of bringing them to justice, is this Insaaf of Tehreek-e-insaaf?
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Salim Akbani
May 17, 2013 09:19pm
Appeasing terrorists who want to turn Pakistan into a 10-Century theocracy with no rights to women and regressive social and economic policies is areipe for disaster. You dont feed cancer, you starve and kill it. That is exactly what the Talibans are. They have blood of thousands of innocent women and children, on their hands. PTI is making a huge mistake. These same terrists will come back to bite them in teh future. When will learn our lesson?
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Tony
May 17, 2013 08:37pm
I guess PTI is either ready to surrender or just being a political arm of TTP. Ask all those innocent people who lost their love ones to TTP hate, how do they feel about this??
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El Cid
May 19, 2013 11:26am
Perhaps because the Pakistani mercenaries first attacked them, killed their families, and bulldozed their homes.
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Imtiaz Bhutto
May 17, 2013 06:53pm
Sign of things to come...
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AAmir Khan
May 17, 2013 07:35pm
They are in for a rude awakening!
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M. Asghar
May 17, 2013 07:40pm
A wise statement which is the beginning of the solution of the problem of violence in the area and in other regions of the land.
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Fahim A Kidwai
May 17, 2013 07:42pm
These peace talks would be conditional or unconditional? would the KPK government ask Taliban to lay down theier weapons and accept the Constitution of the country before the talks?
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Azriel
May 17, 2013 07:43pm
At last! someone is looking serious for peace in the region, people of KP will support this.
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sherafgan
May 17, 2013 07:47pm
good beginning
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Saz
May 19, 2013 03:28pm
You guys talk like no won has talked to the taliban before and its some idea that is being tried for the first time. Dont know what kind of crazy oxygen you guys breath
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Amri
May 17, 2013 07:51pm
On "
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Saz
May 19, 2013 03:26pm
Dose not matter if the Taliban are loved by the pashtoon or not their crimes are not limited to KP.
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El Cid
May 19, 2013 11:48am
Pakistanis are allowed to see only one side of the picture and thus confused into coming to the wrong conclusion.
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El Cid
May 19, 2013 11:45am
The people is power have harmed the Consitution and People of Pakistan more than anyone else. What you see is only a side effect of this atrocity and point finger at the small fry.
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El Cid
May 19, 2013 11:40am
Who are "they" and what proof do you have of who did what? Or is your pointing fingers at phantoms is proof enough?
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AR
May 17, 2013 07:58pm
if you cannot fight the beast, then better to tame it.
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El Cid
May 19, 2013 12:32pm
No sir. You may have misinterpreted its meaning and positioning. It is called the opening gambit in a negotiation. And all that has occurred in the past years had nothing to do with PTI. But were the result of motivations, plans, and actions of many entities, actors, and agencies having the same objective as has been achieved in many other countries with similar tactics: Economic Degradation & Dismemberment.
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El Cid
May 19, 2013 12:27pm
Good advice. I think you will succeed. Perhaps your advice could have helped do what 150,000 foreign and 90,000 local troops and $1.7Trillion could not do in 11years. They forgot to tell the Taliban to put down their weapons.
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Atta ur Rehman
May 17, 2013 08:05pm
Good gesture from PTI. Peace talk is the way forward.
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goodDeedsLeadTo
May 17, 2013 08:02pm
Excellent PTI initiative. It is you province, let us work together to fix the problem.
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Saz
May 19, 2013 03:21pm
Well the guy who snatched my cell phone on gun point was also one of us, may be we should just let them do it. Get rid of the police and jails after all every one in jail is also a pakistanis and one of us are they noy
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Zarrar
May 17, 2013 08:16pm
Good leader always shows by actions...another example of how PTI can change pakistan...
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hatehypocrisy
May 17, 2013 08:18pm
If the Taliban are Pakistanis then why do they slaughter in cold blood the soldiers of the Pakistani army? Why do they attack the infrastructure of the lawful Pakistani government? Appeasement will never (I repeat...never!) succeed against butchers of humanity and they will simply solidify their gains while you talk peace from a position of weakness Mr Khattak. They are not interested in peace, their only mission is to install a system of sick "sharia" based upon some two bit molvi's interpretation of a religion.
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sal
May 17, 2013 08:31pm
These guys are naive in the extreme. I would say to Taliban put down weapons and stop bombing and recognise the govt. of Pakistan..then we talk.
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Khan
May 18, 2013 02:17pm
I have to agree with one of his statements though, 'they are Pakistanis too'. If the general public in Pakistan was truly against the Taliban they would be suffocated out of existence but most Pakistanis actually do support them, even if they don't approve of some of their practices.
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Khan
May 18, 2013 02:12pm
so whats next, negotiating with the taliban for peace like swat? no girls schools, no music, movies, public punishments in exchange for 'peace'? Imran khan should answer this.
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Khan
May 18, 2013 02:10pm
ok if PTI had made such statements before the election they would get no votes at all. Nawaz sharif loves the Taliban too, leaving only the PPP who considers them an enemy.
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pakistan
May 17, 2013 07:30pm
Simplified view of things frankly, 'asking' the Taliban? really, they set up their own kangaroo courts, set up their own voting laws? what else are we waiting for, probably waiting for them to designate a foreign minister and ambassadors to other countries? PTI should negotiate with them but with CONDITIONS, Pakistan has to finish this menace PERIOD, they are Pakistanis that have been strayed, anyone not respecting the laws of Pakistan is an ENEMY.
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aabdul
May 17, 2013 07:26pm
This sounds very much like what Musharraf did and failed miserably. They are appeasing to a group that will never compromise on their view of the world, women, education and common laws.
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Azhar
May 17, 2013 07:18pm
Very defeatist appeal. You can never negotiate from a weak position. He is almost begging Taliban, who have killed thousands of innocent people including our security personnel over the years. I am really disappointed with his statement. If this is how PTI is planning to make peace with Taliban, they are going to fail. Taliban are not just some good guys gone bad due to circumstances. They want to impose their agenda and ideology on others by force. They can only be stopped from a position of strength not weakness.
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Mohammad Saleem
May 17, 2013 07:06pm
PTI is in fool's paradise not realizing that the primary objective of the Pakistani Taliban is to replace the present system with an Islamic emirate, and Sharia be enforced throughout the country and beyond
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Imran
May 17, 2013 07:08pm
No enmity with Taliban? So they have killed 40,000 of us just for the fun of it?
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Saad Kamran
May 17, 2013 07:08pm
a dialogue with known terrorists. is this "naya Pakistan"?
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Uzma Shuaib
May 17, 2013 07:14pm
This province is your????????
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Saz
May 17, 2013 07:00pm
Now we know why some parties were targeted during the polls were others were not
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Ashfaq Khan
May 17, 2013 06:55pm
What about all the people they murdered, will there be any justice for them?
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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan
May 17, 2013 06:40pm
I agree no enmity because PTI is an extension of Taliban. PTI = Talibans in modern dresses
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Baykaralam
May 19, 2013 03:32pm
PTI have a mandate from people. It has a right to follow the policy it thinks is right. None of the commentators have this right or options. Wait . watch and for now stay quiet!
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El Cid
May 19, 2013 11:51am
Do you plan to continue along the same old path being followed for the past 11 years and expect different results?
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El Cid
May 19, 2013 11:54am
Actually Pak-US-NATO has been doing that for the past 11 years to them. Now they are fighting back.
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Bali Khan
May 17, 2013 06:25pm
Mard-e-nadaan peh hai kalam-e-Narmo Nazik bai asar
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A. Jafri
May 19, 2013 11:51am
Wise move??? All others before PTI have tried it without success. These animals operate on intimidation and that is their only bargaining power. I hope PTI is starting out attempting to show they tried to reach out, and I hope they have a serious plan to deal with these animals when this reach out fails (as it did with every other previous government).
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Pakistani
May 17, 2013 06:14pm
Good Luck. TTP will never give up killing innocent people.
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Muhammad Farooq
May 17, 2013 06:11pm
welcome to Naya Pakistan. Well begun is half done Sir. Are they friends of Pakistan who did their best to obstruct the electoral process?? What is the fault of innocent men and women and children who are killed on daily basis by Talibans.
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