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LequteMan
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Taliban militants in Pakistan have welcomed a new peace talk offer from the Pakistan government. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif a few days ago offered to hold peace talks with the militants to end a decade-old violence that claimed more than 40,000 lives and crippled the econom.
"I invite to dialogue all those elements who unfortunately follow the path of extremism," Sharif said. He also added that Islamist militants posed an “existential threat” to Pakistan and he would order the use of force if his offer was rejected.
The militant group said Sharif had displayed political maturity by putting peace talks on the table.
"We welcome it ... it is possible," said Maulana Asmatullah Moavia, the head of a Taliban faction from the central Punjab province. He said militants should respond positively if the government was serious about resolving the conflict.
The group, known as Punjabi Taliban, has strong links to al-Qaeda and is behind most deadly attacks across Pakistan in recent years.
Peace talks between the Pakistan government and militants have failed in the past.
"I invite to dialogue all those elements who unfortunately follow the path of extremism," Sharif said. He also added that Islamist militants posed an “existential threat” to Pakistan and he would order the use of force if his offer was rejected.
The militant group said Sharif had displayed political maturity by putting peace talks on the table.
"We welcome it ... it is possible," said Maulana Asmatullah Moavia, the head of a Taliban faction from the central Punjab province. He said militants should respond positively if the government was serious about resolving the conflict.
The group, known as Punjabi Taliban, has strong links to al-Qaeda and is behind most deadly attacks across Pakistan in recent years.
Peace talks between the Pakistan government and militants have failed in the past.
