Nation taken into confidence for talks with Taliban: Nawaz

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday said the nation has been taken into confidence for holding talks with the Taliban.
Talking to media after the awards distribution ceremony of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Nawaz said the committees that have been engaged in talks were fully empowered.
He said, “Challenges being faced by the country‚ including terrorism and extremism, are due to our faulty policies.”
He said all segments of society should move forward with unity to resolve problems like economy‚ terrorism and law and order situation. He said the government was working to overcome these problems.
The premier praised the role being played by the private sector for fulfilling its responsibilities to put the country on road to progress and prosperity. He said the nationalisation of industries in 1970s was a major setback‚ as this step had badly damaged the country’s economy.
Nawaz said during his previous tenures‚ banks were privatised and were now running successfully.
The prime minister said during his recent visit to the United States‚ he had clearly conveyed to US officials that Pakistan only wanted trade‚ not aid.
He said a business advisory council would be set up to recommend ways to boost the country’s exports and to solve problems facing the business community. Nawaz said he would attend meetings of the council.
The PM said Commerce Minister Khurram Dastagir has been given a target of doubling the country’s exports. He said the issue of energy shortage was affecting the national economy. He said that it would take time in resolving this crisis and the government was taking steps in this regard.
He said work on various mega and small power projects was in progress across the country. Nawaz said allocations have been made for Diamer-Bhasha‚ Dasu and Bunji dams while 425 megawatt from Nandipur power project would soon be added to the system.
“Neelum-Jhelum project will be completed in the next two years while progress on coal-based Gadani project will soon become visible,” he said.
Nawaz said gas shortage would be overcome in 12 to 15 months. The PM said he had launched the loans scheme to help the youth stand on their own feet.
He said that peaceful transition of government was a good omen for democracy. He said that the motorway between Lahore to Karachi would be built with own resources‚ and it would create new job opportunities.