ISLAMABAD: The outgoing president of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari Wednesday emphasised that maintaining moratorium on death penalties is the European Union’s condition for granting preferential market access to Pakistan and should not be linked to dealing with Taliban militants, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to a dinner hosted by Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah in his honour, he said Taliban were non-state elements, however, there was no harm in negotiating with them.

European Union Ambassador to Pakistan Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, however, had clarified that the European Commission had no condition linking abolition of death penalty to grant of preferential market access to the country.

The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif scrapped a five-year moratorium on the death penalty in June in a bid to crack down on criminals and militants in the violence-torn country.

Hangings were due to resume last week until a temporary stay was ordered following objections from the president and rights groups.

President Zardari, who is set to vacate the Presidency on September 8, said stopping the announced and planned executions was not aimed at any specific segment of the society. “Extending the moratorium cannot be linked with facilitating potential peace talks with Taliban militants,” he added.

Commenting on recent developments pertaining to restoration of peace in Karachi, the president backed the federal government for deciding against the demands of handing over the port city to Pakistani armed forces.

However, he added, a heavy responsibility lies on the government and the Pakistan Army of eradicating the menace of terrorism.

President Zardari, who is set to revamp his beleaguered Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) upon completion of his presidential tenure, vowed to extend all possible assistance to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government.

He also vowed to remain active in national politics and not to live a “retired” life and said that he will not let the PML-N government be derailed. “I will welcome the newly elected president in the Presidency,” he added.

Haji Adeel of Awami National Party (ANP), Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed and Senator Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain of PML-Q, Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Dr Fehmida Mirza, Raja Zafarul Haq of PML-N and Speaker National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq among other notables attended the dinner.