ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday said dialogues have already been offered to the Pakistani Taliban but these cannot happen unless the militants throw away their arms and give up terrorism.

“There is nothing formal regarding talks with the Taliban. The Taliban usually send messages to us and I also sometimes convey them a message so that peace could prevail. But it is clear that if the Taliban want to shake hands with us they would have to get rid of their arms,” he said.

The minister was responding to questions raised after inaugurating a ceremony where 50 new Mobile Registration Vans (MRVs) were added in the fleet of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to facilitate the population settled in remote areas.

“Few days back we received a message from the Taliban for talks and yes we also offered them. We are happy they have realised that killing innocent people is wrong and the only way forward is the path of peace,” he said.

The minister said he could not say much on the issue and added that all the stakeholders would sit together to find an amicable solution.