Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday asked a radical cleric known as the ‘father of the Taliban’ to initiate talks with banned militant groups, according to media reports.
Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, the head of a faction of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, met Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House. “Both the leaders remained together for some time and discussed matters relating to national Importance,” an official statement said.
Media reports said talks with the banned Taliban was the main issue on the agenda and Haq assured the premier that he would use his influence to ensure the peace process progresses in the right direction.
Sharif has been pushing for talks with the Taliban and other militant groups since he assumed power in June. The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan pulled out of the nascent peace process after its chief. Hakimullah Mehsud, was killed in a US drone strike in November.