Nawaz Sharif seeks peace talks with Taliban despite surge in attacks

Pakistan would pursue peace talks with the Taliban, despite a recent spate of attacks.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made the announced, naming a four-member committee - comprising his Advisor on National Affairs Irfan Siddique, veteran journalist Rahimullah Yusufzai, former ambassador and expert on Afghanistan affairs Rustam Shah Mohmand and former ISI official Major (Retd) Amir Shah - to facilitate the talks.

Addressing a session of the National Assembly after a span of six months, Sharif said the government wanted to give peace another chance.

According to Dawn News, he said that Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan would assist the committee.

Sharif said he would personally supervise the performance of the committee, adding that he was sincerely trying to restore peace in the country and expressed hope that the other side would reciprocate in a similar manner, the report said.

The announcement came the same day Taliban militants targeted paramilitary soldiers, killing at least three Rangers personnel in separate bomb attacks in Karachi.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Shahidullah Shahid also claimed responsibility for the attacks.