Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said that his government was in talks with some factions of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for peace and reconciliation.
In an interview with TRT World, the premier said that some factions of the TTP want to talk to the government.
To a question regarding the talks, PM Imran said that the dialogues are about reconciliation process and if successful, will lead to the government "forgiving" them, "and then they become normal citizens".
Responding to another query on whether the Afghan Taliban were helping as mediators between the TTP and Pakistan, the premier said: "Since the talks were taking place in Afghanistan, so in that sense, yes."
PM Imran reiterated he didn’t believe in military solutions. “I am anti-military solution, and as a politician, I believe political dialogue is the way ahead.”
He said dialogue was the only way out in the case of Afghanistan also.
To a question regarding recent attacks on security forces by TTP despite the initiation of dialogues, PM Imran said that the process was ongoing, suggesting there was no guarantee that it would reach any conclusion.
"We might not reach some sort of conclusion or settlement in the end but we are talking," Imran Khan said.
Earlier this month, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had also said that the government was open to giving a pardon to TTP members if they renounce violence, accept writ of the state and commit to the constitution.
The TTP should think about its future, keeping in mind its past actions, Qureshi had said, adding: "If the TTP responds in a positive manner, so will Pakistan."
"But if they respond negatively, we will deal with them as we have before."
Before FM Qureshi, President Arif Alvi had also stated that the government could think of pardoning the TTP members who were not involved in "criminal activities", who would disarm themselves and follow the law.