News
Government seeking army's advice on talks: Asif
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the government was seeking the army’s advice over the future course of action in the dialogue process.
Speaking to Geo News, Asif said the next phase of dialogue will be based on intelligence information provided by the army. “The army will provide information on what options are available to the government.”
"All stakeholders and government institutions are on the same page," Asif said in regards to the dialogue process.
In an earlier interview with Geo News, the defence minister said a final decision regarding the army’s inclusion in the dialogue process had not been taken.
He added that the entire government machinery including the army is available for talks. “It is the Prime Minister’s discretion to include anyone in the new committee.”
On Thursday, the four-member government committee constituted to hold peace talks was dissolved. According to sources a new committee would be formed consisting of ISI officials, representatives of the federal cabinet, Khyber Pakhtunkha government and Governor to hold direct talks with the government.
The defence minister added that the government was sincere in the dialogue process and he prayed for its success.
The defence minister made it clear that the duration of the dialogue process cannot be long and if there is no development the second option will have to be used. “If the ceasefire is violated the government will be left with no other option but to launch an operation.”
In an interview to Reuters, Asif said a full-scale military operation could be launched against the Pakistani Taliban in the tribal areas as he warned militants not to violate a ceasefire.
Courtesy www.geo.tv