Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday dismissed speculation he would launch an offensive against the Taliban following a wave of bloody attacks, saying peace talks deserved another chance.
In a highly anticipated speech before parliament, Sharif also called on militants to observe a ceasefire and named a committee to assist in dialogue efforts.
Just hours earlier, three bomb blasts including a suicide attack targeting Pakistani security forces killed at least four people in the commercial hub of Karachi, with the Taliban later claiming responsibility.
The government has come under fire for failing to set a strategy to respond to a surge in militant violence which has resulted in 114 deaths since the start of the year, according to an AFP tally.
Sharif was elected last year vowing to reach out to the Taliban and engage in talks to end their insurgency that has raged since 2007.
'Existence endangered'
In his address on Wednesday, Sharif paid an emotional tribute to the victims of terrorism, saying: "Common citizens are being targeted and our innocent children are dying. The society is surrounded by fear."
"The acts of terrorism have to be stopped forthwith, because terrorism and talks cannot go side by side," he said.
He also slammed the Taliban for rejecting the government's first offer of talks and distorting the teachings of Islam, adding: "Our very existence is endangered. We cannot allow the nation and the country to be hostage to militants."
He continued: "I know that today if the state wants to eliminate terrorists by force, the entire nation will stand by it. However, when the offer of talks has come to the fore from the other side, we... want to give the peaceful solution another chance."
To assist in these efforts, Sharif said he would form a four-man committee with expertise in matters related to militancy.
Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid told AFP its central Shura, or consultative council, was meeting to consider the new development.
"We are ready for meaningful negotiations provided the government shows sincerity of purpose," the spokesman added.
Doubts over talks
But many observers doubt the initiative will have an impact given the demands of the Taliban, which include a release of their prisoners, the Pakistan army's withdrawal from the restive tribal areas and an end to US drone strikes.
Wednesday's bombings were the latest in quick succession to target security forces, with 26 paramilitaries killed in the northwestern town of Bannu and 13 people killed in an attack near the army's headquarters in Rawalpindi earlier this month.
Analysts say the attacks highlight the Taliban's desire to capitalise on the government's reluctance to green light a major military operation.
Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were placed close to a Rangers' checkpost in the busy North Nazimabad neighbourhood of the city, killing one soldier and wounding three when they were detonated remotely.
Later, a suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance to the Rangers' headquarters in the same area of the city, killing two of the paramilitaries and a civilian security guard, and wounding another person.
Irfan Siddiqui, special assistant to the prime minister and a member of the talks committee, told reporters that the committee expected an assurance from the Taliban that they would halt their violence before talks could start.
"We do expect an assurance from the Taliban -- either verbal or practical -- that they wont carry out any such incident which can sabotage the negotiations process," he said.
Another member of the committee, Rustam Shah Mohmand, told AFP: "It is difficult to have an optimistic view about any success because of deep mistrust on both sides."
"The success of the negotiations will depend on how much support the government gives to the committee and how wide its mandate is."
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday dismissed speculation he would launch an offensive against the Taliban following a wave of bloody attacks, saying peace talks deserved another chance.
In a highly anticipated speech before parliament, Sharif also called on militants to observe a ceasefire and named a committee to assist in dialogue efforts.
Just hours earlier, three bomb blasts including a suicide attack targeting Pakistani security forces killed at least four people in the commercial hub of Karachi, with the Taliban later claiming responsibility.
The government has come under fire for failing to set a strategy to respond to a surge in militant violence which has resulted in 114 deaths since the start of the year, according to an AFP tally.
Sharif was elected last year vowing to reach out to the Taliban and engage in talks to end their insurgency that has raged since 2007.
‘Existence endangered’
In his address on Wednesday, Sharif paid an emotional tribute to the victims of terrorism, saying: “Common citizens are being targeted and our innocent children are dying. The society is surrounded by fear.”
“The acts of terrorism have to be stopped forthwith, because terrorism and talks cannot go side by side,” he said.
He also slammed the Taliban for rejecting the government’s first offer of talks and distorting the teachings of Islam, adding: “Our very existence is endangered. We cannot allow the nation and the country to be hostage to militants.”
He continued: “I know that today if the state wants to eliminate terrorists by force, the entire nation will stand by it. However, when the offer of talks has come to the fore from the other side, we… want to give the peaceful solution another chance.”
To assist in these efforts, Sharif said he would form a four-man committee with expertise in matters related to militancy.
Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid told AFP its central Shura, or consultative council, was meeting to consider the new development.
“We are ready for meaningful negotiations provided the government shows sincerity of purpose,” the spokesman added.
Doubts over talks
But many observers doubt the initiative will have an impact given the demands of the Taliban, which include a release of their prisoners, the Pakistan army’s withdrawal from the restive tribal areas and an end to US drone strikes.
Wednesday’s bombings were the latest in quick succession to target security forces, with 26 paramilitaries killed in the northwestern town of Bannu and 13 people killed in an attack near the army’s headquarters in Rawalpindi earlier this month.
Analysts say the attacks highlight the Taliban’s desire to capitalise on the government’s reluctance to green light a major military operation.
Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were placed close to a Rangers’ checkpost in the busy North Nazimabad neighbourhood of the city, killing one soldier and wounding three when they were detonated remotely.
Later, a suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance to the Rangers’ headquarters in the same area of the city, killing two of the paramilitaries and a civilian security guard, and wounding another person.
Irfan Siddiqui, special assistant to the prime minister and a member of the talks committee, told reporters that the committee expected an assurance from the Taliban that they would halt their violence before talks could start.
“We do expect an assurance from the Taliban — either verbal or practical — that they wont carry out any such incident which can sabotage the negotiations process,” he said.
Another member of the committee, Rustam Shah Mohmand, told AFP: “It is difficult to have an optimistic view about any success because of deep mistrust on both sides.”
“The success of the negotiations will depend on how much support the government gives to the committee and how wide its mandate is.”
