PM Sharif says all parties to be briefed on talks with Taliban

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today directed Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to brief all political parties about progress in the government's dialogue with the Taliban.
Sharif has "directed that all political parties be taken into confidence with regard to the progress of dialogue with the Taliban", said a statement issued by the premier's office after he met Khan.
The statement did not give details of the progress made so far by the government. Sharif had said shortly after assuming office in June that his government would talk to the Taliban and other militant groups to end violence in Pakistan.

All the political parties had mandated the government, through an All-Parties Conference, to hold dialogue with the Taliban, Sharif said.
The representatives of different political parties should feel they are part of the process, he added.
Sharif said peace and security are pivotal for economic development and prosperity.
The talks with the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan had figured in discussions between Sharif and US President Barack Obama when they met in Washington on Wednesday.
While all parties are in agreement on the talks, no concrete steps have been taken as yet. The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has expressed its disappointment over a delay in holding the talks and said it might hold talks with the Taliban directly.