Pak says 'big powers' want to sabotage planned dialogue with Taliban

Pakistan has said some 'big powers' want to sabotage a planned peace dialogue with Taliban, which is to be initiated on the lines of All Parties Conference (APC) decision passed on Tuesday.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said the framework for dialogue with Taliban is ready and the government would move ahead with complete secrecy to achieve the desired results, the Daily Times reports.

He said that the Taliban had responded positively to the APC resolution on peace dialogue, and the government would move ahead for peace process in a dignified manner.

He, however, said the entire nation would be kept informed about the time-frame of the talks and issues to be discussed with Taliban factions.

Nisar said the decision for initiating a dialogue with the Taliban was taken keeping national interest in mind and not under any kind of pressure from foreign powers.

He highlighted the sensitive role of the media during the upcoming dialogue with the Taliban by saying that one wrong media report could sabotage the peace process, while a factual one could strengthen it.

He urged the media to consult the interior ministry before writing anything on the subject to portray a correct image in front of the nation.