The decision to initiate a dialogue process with ‘all stakeholders’ and endorse action against groups who refuse to take part in the peace talks was approved on Monday at the All Parties Conference.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chaired a marathon meeting lasting six-hours – convened by the government to demonstrate national unity and reach consensus on the country’s security strategy – which was attended by Pakistan’s political and military leadership.

In an unprecedented move, the country’s military institutions have thrown their weight behind the government’s bid to initiate the dialogue with the outlawed TTP. However, it did caution that the authorities need to tread carefully as there are elements within the umbrella organisation that may never reconcile.

In a detailed briefing at the APC, Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani insisted that the military and the government were ‘on the same page’ on the issue of reaching out to the militants.

“The army will follow whatever decision the government takes,” Kayani was quoted as saying.

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