Unofficial negotiations in progress with Taliban: Rehman Malik

Unofficial negotiations in progress with Taliban: Rehman Malik

By Saleem Mehsud

ISLAMABAD, Nov 22: Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that government was not directly holding talks with the Taliban, however some messages have been sent by Taliban, which should be reviewed by all the stakeholders.

The minister was responding to different questions raised after inaugurating a ceremony where 50 new Mobile Registration Vans (MRVs) have been added in the fleet of National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to facilitate population in remote areas.

Rehman Malik said, “Few days back we also received a message from Taliban for talks and yes we also offered them. We are happy they have realized that killing of innocent people is wrong and the only way forward is the path of peace.” The minister said he cannot say much on this national issue and added all the stakeholders would sit together to find the amicable solution.

He said that delegation of Afghan investigators will arrive in Pakistan to probe the killing of ex-Afghan President Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani, adding that government would extend required assistance to the investigators.

“95 percent process of elders’ registration has been completed by NADRA successfully, and motorcycle service was launched to facilitate the people in far flung areas in order to get registered themselves,” he said.

Malik said that entire working of NADRA was done in the guidelines of President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari in the last three and a half years, saying that statistical record of the population was important because on the analysis of record polices were constituted. He said that issuing of visas to the foreigners would also be handed over to NADRA in order to keep record of the visitors.

Expressing the role of NADRA in eliminating terrorism from the society, he said that NADRA has cancelled several fake ID cards and numerous SIMS were blocked on the data provided by the NADRA, adding that NADRA was helping intelligence agencies to a great extent in getting information about the militants.

Replying to the queries of journalists regarding the memo scam, Malik said that the issue was under investigation and anyone found involved in the scam would be punished, adding that very soon everything will be clear.

He said that Ambassador Husain Haqqani’s name was not put on the ECL because the issue is under investigation and if Haqqani was found involved in the memo scandal then he will face the music.

Talking about the law and order situation in Balochistan, Rehman Malik said that some militant groups were indulged in terror activities in the province and warned that strict action would be taken against them.

Rehman Malik was accompanied by Senator Salahuddin, Chairman NADRA, Ali Irshad Hakeem and Deputy Chairman Tariq Malik.