Pak making every effort for peace talks with Taliban: Hussain

He added that the government was keen on peace talks with the Taliban in whatever way possible

Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain has said the government is making every effort to have peace talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban, but warned that action will be taken against the militant group if negotiations fail.

Hussain, while addressing a business convention here, said the government was keen on peace talks with the Taliban in whatever way possible.

"But if all our efforts fail than we will have to take action against them," he warned.

The Nawaz Sharif government was close to start peace talks with the Taliban but the death of TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud in a US drone attack in October brought an abrupt end to all efforts.

"We want everlasting peace in Pakistan that is why we first want to explore every possible avenue to open talks with the Taliban," he said.

Hussain also spoke on the ongoing offensive by security forces in Karachi against militants and criminals and urged the people to be patient.

"The Prime Minister is personally monitoring the ongoing operation in Karachi and our aim is to have ever lasting peace in the city...So far the operation has been successful," he said.

He also claimed that the business community was satisfied with the ongoing security operation in Karachi, Pakistan's financial capital.