‘Govt wants result-oriented talks with TTP without preconditions’

Published January 29, 2014
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Affairs, Irfan Siddiqui is addressing a press conference at PID in Islamabad on Wednesday. – APP
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on National Affairs, Irfan Siddiqui is addressing a press conference at PID in Islamabad on Wednesday. – APP

ISLAMABAD: A member of the recently formed team tasked to negotiate with Pakistani Taliban, Irfan Siddiqui said Wednesday that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has formed the committee with an open mind as the government wants fruitful and result-oriented talks without any preconditions.

Addressing a press conference here, the special assistant to PM on national affairs said that the committee formed for holding talks with Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was not a conventional committee, as three of its members have no link with the government and he himself became part of the present regime only two days ago.

The committee, he said, will start its work without any fear in mind and without attaching any ‘ifs and buts’ to the process.

Siddiqui said that by forming this committee the government has given another chance to peace, adding that the first step would be to establish contacts with the TTP by removing hurdles in the way of talks.

“When talks will start they will listen to our viewpoint and we will listen to theirs,” said the adviser.

Irfan Siddiqui said it was satisfactory that all segments of society have welcomed the formation of the committee and no negative comment has been noticed from any quarter on its members.

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