ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met Chief of the Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Wednesday and discussed with him the government’s strategy for talks with militants.
The meeting followed Monday’s all-party conference which had endorsed Mr Sharif’s plan for dialogue with the Taliban. The decision by political parties represented in parliament was subsequently ratified by the federal cabinet at a meeting held a day later.
The planned talks were also discussed at a meeting of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, the armed forces’ tri-service coordination forum.
The prime minister, a source said, had shared with the army chief a blueprint prepared by the government for talks with militants.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali had earlier said the framework for talks was ready.
Prime Minister Sharif and Gen Kayani are also said to have reviewed the crackdown on lawless elements in Karachi. Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s criticism of the operation was also looked into.