With Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif extending an olive branch to the Taliban during his first speech to the nation, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Saturday clarified that there was no precondition for the Taliban to lay down arms before dialogue.
“If conditions are set by both sides up front, dialogue will not take place,” Nisar told Saleem Safi on Geo News programme ‘Jirga’.
When asked about not receiving a positive response from the Taliban regarding the dialogue offer, the interior minister said that there was speculation, adding that negative things should not be highlighted.
He emphasised that patience was required for dialogue, adding that thousands of people had lost their lives due to terrorism.
“There has been a widespread destruction during the last 13 years. Losses have been incurred on both sides,” Nisar said.
