Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has claimed that over 50 groups operating under the umbrella of banned outfit Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are ready for talks. He expressed these views while talking to media persons outside the Parliament on Monday. He said there is a deadlock in the dialogue process, urging the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to immediately announce an unconditional cease-fire.
Answering a question, he said it is the consistent stance of his party that dialogue is the best way to resolve disputes. He said some US officials have also admitted that military operation is no solution to bring peace in Afghanistan. He said peace could not be restored overnight after 13 years of operations in Afghanistan and 10 years of operations in Pakistan. Khan said the government should hold negotiations with the groups willing to hold talks. He asked the Prime Minister to himself lead the dialogue process.
He said that the population of Waziristan is 0.6 million, adding if women and children are killed in military strikes in the lawless region then they would take stand against the state. He advised the government to conduct surgical strikes only against those elements that are causing damage to military and the people of Pakistan.
To a question, he said representatives of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government Rustam Shah Mohmand was disclosed that all big terrorist groups are willing to engage in the peace process. He said if operation is required against the terrorists, innocent people should be evacuated from the area.