Govt proposes, Fazl disposes talks offer.

ISLAMABAD -- The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government on Wednesday decided to engage with Maulana Fazlur Rehman in response to the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief's declaration to march on Islamabad on October 31, however the latter has turned down the offer 'till a resignation is handed in'. Addressing reporters after a meeting of the PTI core committee chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that a small political committee has been formed under Defence Minister Pervez Khattak 'to get in touch with Maulana Fazlur Rehman'.

'We are a political party and are fully capable and willing to deliver a political solution to political matters,' said Qureshi. The foreign minister said that if anything the JUI-F chief says during the resultant talks 'has political weight, we are ready to listen to it and if a reasonable solution emerges, we will accord that priority'. 'It is not that we have any fear, I must lay stress on this. 'If someone thinks that with a dharna, governments can be sent packing then we have a 126-day experience in this [...] we are not novices in the matter,' said Qureshi, with a slight smile. He reiterated that a political solution to the conflict must be sought, explaining that Pakistan is now fighting for the Kashmir cause on international fora and a unified stance must be presented in that regard.

'October 27 is that despicable day on which Indian forces landed in Srinagar and captured Kashmir,' he said, pausing to lay emphasis on the word to highlight the solemnity that must be accorded to the day. He said that the government's Kashmir Cell had therefore decided to observe the day with due respect and in solidarity...