Pakistani PM calls on peace talks with militants

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday invited the militants for dialogues to end the bloodshed in the country in his first televised address.

"My government is determined to tackle the problem of terrorism either through dialogues or with full might of the state and all state institutions are on the same page on the issue," Nawaz Sharif told the nation over Radio and Television networks.

He said the government has more than one option to tackle the problem but wisdom demands that there is no loss of innocent lives. He invited those treading the path of terrorism to dialogues to end the vicious cycle of bloodshed.

The prime minister expressed the resolve of the government to eliminate the menace of terrorism, improve economy, address power crisis and pursue good neighborly relations with all countries of the region, including India, for regional peace and prosperity.

"Pakistan is today facing serious challenges like terrorism endangering the very survival of the country and worst kind of load-shedding that has paralyzed the economy," he said.

Talking about relations with India, he said Pakistan and India will have to joint their heads together so that they can address common issues like poverty and ignorance.

"History bears testimony to the fact that progress and development of a nation is deeply linked to cordial relations with neighbors. It is because of this that we want good relations with all neighbors including India."

He said he has always wanted good relations with India and people supported his contention during recent elections. He said both countries should realize that instead of wasting their energies and resources on wars, they should wage war against poverty, ignorance and disease. He said the nation is fully prepared to defend the motherland along with its valiant armed forces.

The prime minister said Pakistan will have to pursue a strategy on Afghanistan that highlights the bright face of the country in the comity of nations.

He said the government has a clear cut position on U.S. drone attacks, which are violation of Pakistan's sovereignty. He has directly communicated this to U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and urged him to stop these attacks. He said the UN secretary- general has also expressed concern over killing of peaceful civilians in these attacks.