The Pakistan Government on Tuesday expressed its inability to carry forward peace talks with the Taliban after the execution of 23 troops and asked the banned group to immediately cease all violent activities.
A day after the fragile peace process was suspended over the execution of the paramilitary troops held hostage by the Taliban since 2010, the Government said the militants should stop violence for a “result-oriented and meaningful dialogue”. State negotiators said talks could not progress without any solid steps and asked the Taliban to unconditionally cease violence without any delay and ensure commitment to peace, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The killing of the 23 paramilitary personnel by a Taliban faction in Mohmand tribal region shocked the government, which has engaged the banned group in talks to work out a solution to the decade-old insurgency that has claimed 40,000 lives. The state negotiators refused to meet the Taliban- nominated committee on Monday.