Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Friday said a final decision has not been taken to include the army in the dialogue process with the Taliban. In an interview with a TV channel, Asif said the entire government machinery including the army is available for talks. "It is the Prime Minister's discretion to include anyone in the new committee." Meanwhile, Maulana Samiul Haq has criticised statements by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif regarding the launch of a full-scale military operation if the cease-fire is violated.
The Taliban committee head said Asif should refrain from making such statements, adding that peace could not be achieved even if the operation lasted for ten years. Maulana Samiul Haq claimed that Kha Asif would flee to London while innocent people would be killed in Pakistan. According to the Maulana, Sami they had been successful in opening closed doors and now both committees would sit face-to-face.