Nawaz for talks with Taliban minus Qeada

ISLAMABAD - PML-N Quaid Nawaz Sharif Monday underscored the need for talks with Taliban minus-al Qeada and other foreign elements for the cause of durable peace.
He was talking to the US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Richard Boucher, here on Monday.
PML-N President and Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, were also present in the meeting.
According to informed sources, Nawaz Sharif emphasised the need for halting the ongoing military operations in FATA and some parts of the NWFP, saying such actions were killing many innocent people.
The sources also said that Nawaz Sharif also took serious view of the violations of Pakistan’s territorial integrity by the Afghanistan based multinational forces and said such acts were becoming intolerable for the masses.
“These acts are causing anti-US feelings because of the collateral damage caused by the air and missile strikes”, a source quoted him as telling to the US envoy.
It was further learnt that Richard Boucher appreciated the support of PML-N leadership for war against terrorism and agreed to the proposal of holding talks with those militants who do not challenge the government’s writ.
He also briefed the PML-N team of the US steps to combat terrorism and economic measures for the development of the FATA.
The US envoy also assured the PML-N leaders that the US was ready to support Pakistan and its people in tackling the problem of terrorism.