Khan's Party Plans Taliban Talks In Northwest Province

Imran Khan

PESHAWAR, Pakistan -- The Pakistani political party led by former cricket star Imran Khan is reportedly planning to hold immediate talks with the Taliban if, as expected, it takes control of the provincial assembly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.

The Pakistan Movement for Justice (PTI) party won the most seats in the northwestern province's assembly in the May 11 general elections.

Regional party leader Asad Qaisar told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal that in a meeting on May 14, Khan called for talks with the Taliban "the next day after taking charge" of the provincial government.

The PTI is expected to form a coalition with two other political parties.

Nationally, the PTI finished third in the May 11 voting.

Taliban fighters are active in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and denounced the elections as un-Islamic, warning voters to stay away from the polls.