Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shoukat Yousufzai on Tuesday said the provincial government’s talks with Taliban and other extremist groups will be meaningless until formulation of national counterterrorism policy by the federal government.
Yousufzai said the previous provincial government also held talks with Taliban in Malakand Division, but failed due to absence of a centralised policy on dealing with extremist groups.
“Close coordination between federal government, provincial administration and army is essential for fruitful dialogue with the Taliban,” he added. The drone attacks in FATA were counterproductive and increasing violence but the provincial government could not give any assurance on stoppage of drone attacks, he said.
He said central counter-terrorism policy was essential to address all issues responsible for violence in the country.
