ISLAMABAD, Dec 6: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan and other leaders of the party tried to convince envoys of Nato countries of adverse effects of drone attacks in Pakistan.

At a dinner meeting held at the residence of Greek ambassador on Thursday night, the envoys, however, wanted to know why the PTI was insisting for talks with Taliban who opposed democracy.

Mr Khan said the drone attacks were fuelling militancy and terrorism in Pakistan, particularly in Fata and KP.

The PTI chief acknowledged the contribution of Nato countries to social-economic development in KP. But, in the same breath, he asked how these good gestures could justify drone attacks.

Mr Khan told the envoys that there was no importance of economic assistance if there was no peace, according to a handout released by the PTI.

A participant of the meeting told Dawn that the PTI chief in response to US decision of not using Torkham border route for Nato supplies hinted that the PTI might end its protests in KP.

Protests by workers of PTI and allied parties blocking transportation of Nato containers via KP have been going on since Nov 23.

Mr Khan told the envoys that his party was closely monitoring the situation and a decision whether or not to end the protests would be taken with consensus.

He was accompanied by PTI vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi and party’s spokesperson Dr Shireen Mazari.

One of the envoys recalled the Salala incident which resulted in the suspension of Nato supplies through Pakistan.

In response to envoys’ queries about PTI’s idea of talks with militants, Mr Khan said his party wanted to isolate hardliners from those who were ready to hold dialogue. But, he added, it was difficult to convince militants to come to the negotiating table unless there was a complete halt to drone attacks.

While acknowledging that there were multiple types of terrorism afflicting Pakistan, the PTI chief reiterated that the fallout of the US war and drone attacks was fuelling an already incendiary situation.

He referred to the all-party conference which mandated the government to hold talks with the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan and told the envoys how the initiative was sabotaged by the killing of Hakeemullah Mehsud in a drone attack.

Answering questions about PTI’s ongoing protests against Nato supplies, Mr Khan said during its election campaign his party had promised to launch a protest against Nato supplies.

He said that because coalition partners in the KP government were under pressure for launching a campaign against drone attacks, the provincial assembly asked the federal government through a resolution for initiating dialogue with Taliban and put pressure on the US to halt drone attacks.

Imran Khan said his party did not want conflicts with the US and other Nato countries. But, he added, it wanted to send a clear message that drone attacks were not acceptable.

He hoped that the envoys would convince the US government to stop the drone attacks.