Published on 06:32 PM, February 24, 2014

Pak minister offers Taliban to play cricket

Pak minister offers Taliban to play cricket

Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. Star file photo
Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. Star file photo

Pakistan Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan today invited the Taliban to play a cricket match, saying members of the banned group keenly follow the game, reports The Indian Express.

Khan was talking to reporters in Rawalpindi after he hit a few shots during a cricket tournament in the garrison city, the Indian news portal said.

He was the chief guest at the event.

The Minister said if a cricket match with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan does take place, the outcome will be positive.

“The inputs suggest that Taliban keenly follow cricket,” he said in comments aired live on news channels.

Khan is one of the key ministers who was overseeing the government’s efforts to engage the TTP in peace talks.

The process was suspended last week after a Taliban faction executed 23 troops taken hostage in 2010.

Khan said Pakistan is a peaceful country but its enemies want to spread terrorism there. He said cricket was a sport that signifies peace, friendship and brotherhood.