Nisar to Taliban: Drop war, play cricket!

• TTP says Taliban dislike cricket for turning the youth away from jihad

Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Monday offered a cricket match with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Talking to reporters after an exhibition cricket match, Nisar said as per his knowledge some Taliban commanders were fond of cricket, so the government is ready to play a match against them. He said the result of the match will be a positive one for both sides.

The minister said the security forces, security agencies and the government will make the country a safe place to live in and restore peace in Pakistan at any cost.

When asked about chances of a military operation in the tribal areas, Nisar said the nation must be united for any option used to curb terrorism in the country.

Regarding the news of TTP key commander Asmatulallah Shaheen’s killing in North Waziristan, the minister said he would “talk over this issue tomorrow (Tuesday)”.

When asked of chances of meeting between the government and TTP committees, Nisar said he could not say anything about the matter.

He said Pakistan is a peaceful country and the government will make all-out efforts to turn the country into a safer place.

The interior minister said the enemies of the country are giving the impression that only terrorism takes place in Pakistan and not sports, adding that such an impression was incorrect.

TALIBAN REFUSE OFFER

On the other hand, the TTP rejected the interior minister’s offer to play a match for peace, saying the sport was “responsible for turning youth away from jihad”.

“The Taliban follow the Pakistan cricket team with keen interest so this can be a platform,” Chaudhary Nisar had said earlier.

Speaking to foreign news agency by telephone from an undisclosed location, TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said his group would refuse to play ball.

“These secular people want to distance our youth from jihad and Islamic teachings through cricket. We are strongly against cricket and dislike it,” he said.

Talking about the faltered peace talks the TTP spokesman said the Taliban “were ready to open the deadlock in peace talks created by the government. The government is not sincere in peace talks, but the Taliban are ready for it”.