Pak warns action against militants not ready to shun violence

Islamabad: Toughening its stand, Pakistan has warned the Taliban that militant groups who respond to the government`s peace talks offer with bullet will face war. "Engaging in dialogue with the Taliban is still a top agenda of the government. Talks will be held with those groups which are ready to take part in the process but those which respond with bullet will face war," Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said. Speaking to the media here, Khan said the decision to hold talks with Taliban was given by the country`s political leadership during the All parties Conference.

He said that government will continue to adhere to this policy and welcomes those militant groups who will respond positively to talks offer. "Our aim is to restore peace in Pakistan particularly in FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas), as it is right of the people as they have paid a heavy cost for an unnecessary war. Time has come that people should be saved from this situation of blood and fire. Foreign powers for their own interests pushed people of this region into an unending war," he said yesterday. Khan said negotiations are underway with different groups and hoped for a good outcome. Meanwhile, a media report today said the federal government is drawing up plans for a possible military operation against the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates in case it fails to lure militants to the negotiating table. "Yes, all options are on the table including the military operation," an unnamed high-ranking official was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune daily. The official familiar with the back-door efforts seeking peace talks with the TTP said the army was told to prepare for "all kinds of contingencies". However, he added that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wanted to exhaust all possible options for tackling the militant threat through peaceful means. The official admitted that TTP had so far shown little interest in holding peace talks with the government ever since the killing of Hakimullah Mehsud in a drone strike in November last year. Despite peace overtures by the government, the TTP has escalated its attacks across the country in recent weeks. Yesterday, a senior PML-N leader survived an attack in Swat Valley. Although, Premier`s Adviser Amir Muqam remained unhurt, at least five policemen were killed and four others injured in the attack. An ANP leader was also shot down yesterday in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The government is under pressure from the main opposition parties, including Pakistan Peoples Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which are calling for decisive action against the TTP following the recent surge in terrorist attacks. At the same time, however, it is facing opposition from religious parties as well as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which is a staunch opponent of use of force against the TTP.