Pak tells Taliban to say 'goodbye' to terrorism

Islamabad, Aug.15 (ANI): Pakistan has urged the Taliban and other terrorist groups operating inside its boundary to say 'goodbye' to terrorism and shun their violent activities.

Interacting with media persons after laying flower wreaths on a monument of martyred policemen here, Interior Advisor Rehman Malik said : "I have a message for the extremists: Let's start a new day, surrender your arms, come to political or law enforcement authorities and say goodbye to terrorism."

Malik urged the militants to lay down arms, saying those surrendering would be treated on an individual basis, with authorities deciding between leniency and prosecution.

When asked about the reported death of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud, Malik said the government is gathering substantial proof to support its claims regarding Mehsud's death. He said Islamabad has asked the United States to provide its own evidence in this regard.

"The evidence may be footage or confirmation through DNA testing, as most of the work on collecting such evidences has already been completed. We will inform the nation about this soon," The Daily Times quoted Mehsud, as saying.

Malik once again challenged the Taliban to prove that Mehsud is alive.

When asked about the drone strikes, he said Pakistan did not support US action in the region and has asked Washington to provide drone technology to Pakistan and allow Islamabad to take action against terrorists on its own. (ANI)