Pakistan - Talks with Taliban in country’s interest: Defense Minister

The News International ^ | May 16, 2008

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KARACHI: Defense Minister, Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar has said that holding talks with Taliban was in the interest of the country; talks with the Taliban leaders were held earlier and were being held now also.

Talking to newsmen at the PIA head office here, Defense Minister, Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, who is PIA chairman also, said that if an agreement with Taliban gets materialized, then it would benefit the whole world and across the border actions could be controlled. As regards missile attack on Bajaur, defense minister said that the government was collecting facts and added that such attacks within Pakistan territory were discussed with the US in past, which lessened such incidents and this time also talks with US on this issue was being held as to how to meet the Bajaur losses. He said that Pakistan was holding talks with Taliban and the US hurried objections to it was not correct, let this deal be completed and now the situation was not like as previously.

Defense minister dismissed the Indian allegation of Pakistan Rangers’ firing at the Line of Control on Jammu sector. He said that the Indian foreign minister’s visit was expected and such allegations were leveled as and when the Indian leaders visit Pakistan.

Defense Minister and PIA Chairman Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar said that the national airline was looted considering it a gold mine. He appealed to the employees to consider this organization their own and urged upon the officers and staff to work with zeal and valor for the development of the national airline. He said that he was advised selling PIA or leasing it, but he has opposed it. He said that there was no dearth of rice in the country, but international market rice price-hikes were also affecting Pakistan. Meeting the shortage of wheat, 0.3 million tons of wheat was being imported in the country.

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We’ll get to see first hand how the “Obama Doctrine” will work out here.