Dialogue not be seen as a sign of weakness, warns Nawaz

NEW YORK: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif used the UN forum to send a strong message to the Taliban on Friday, saying that a dialogue should not be seen as a sign of weakness or a tool of appeasement.

His comments came in the context of terrorism in Pakistan and defined it as having no religion and no borders.But he moved quickly from the subject, without even mentioning that he was ready for talks with the Taliban.

He connected terrorism with the image of the Muslims in the West and said Muslims should not be singled out on this basis.“It (terrorism) has no religion or creed, which is why maligning a whole people or a religion on this account, is unfair and unwise. Islam is a religion of peace, compassion and brotherhood,” he said.Nawaz Sharif called for an end to discrimination against Muslims.