Islamabad: Amidst the ongoing military offensive against Taliban in Pakistan's tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, the militants have re-offered talks with the government but said that they will not lay down their weapons.

Responding to the Taliban's offer to hold an unconditional dialogue if the government halted military operations against them, top Pakistani leaders including President Asif Ali Zardari have said that talks can be held only with militants who laid down their weapons. Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Maulvi Omar told journalists in Peshawar yesterday that negotiation is the best option for the resolution of disputes.

Repeating the Taliban's offer of peace talks made on October 15, Omar said the government should stop operations against the militants before the talks. Replying to a question, he said the government had not yet responded to the talks offer. "We are waiting for the government's response and are also ready for talks through a mediator," he said.

"Taliban are ready for talks with the government but we will never lay down arms," Omar said. The Taliban, he said, sincerely believed that talks are the best way to resolve issues because conflicts created complications. "Weapons will be retained for self-defence," he said.

Omar said the Taliban were willing to hold talks with the government because Pakistan's tribal areas are directly under its control. The Taliban would also negotiate in the restive Swat valley in the North West Frontier Province. The militants did not want to go to war with the government but "war has been imposed on the Taliban", he said.

Pakistani security forces backed by fighter jets, gunship helicopters and artillery are currently conducting operations against the Taliban in Swat and the troubled Bajaur tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

Source : PTI