ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry has said that the government has only discussed ceasefire in talks with proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Addressing a press conference after federal cabinet meeting on Tuesday, he said that it was not possible for the state to remain in a state of constant war.

Fawad said that the state must talk from a position of strength with the militant outfit and that the talks with the TTP would be in line with the constitution.

“We want peace in the whole region," he said, adding that the state is giving them a chance.

The minister said that the banned TTP is not an organisation but it has several groups and the dialogues with them could be successful only after they accept the Constitution.

Chaudhry said the new Afghan government also wants peace in Pakistan, adding that being Muslims and as neighbors we are concerned about the situation in Afghanistan. As per the details of the agreement shared by the TTP, the Taliban are playing the role of mediator in talks between the government and the TTP.

He said that speaking in detail about the agreement would be premature, as the government and TTP have agreed to a ceasefire.

Talking about Pakistan’s efforts to ease Afghanistan’s economic woes, he said Cabinet has also decided to ease imports from Afghanistan to Pakistan.

He said that Cabinet has decided to send sufficient amount of wheat flour and rice to Afghanistan to help Afghan people dealing emerging humanitarian crisis.

He said, to reinforce Pakistan's humanitarian efforts for Afghanistan, the forum also decided to set up a fund for collecting contributions to help Afghan people, who are already suffering from food shortage.

He said trade agreement with Afghanistan has been extended for another six months.

The Minister said according to a recent report of the United Nations, 23 million Afghan people are facing food shortage in current situation while minor children are being sold to get food stuff.

He said in this regard we are trying our best to convey our concerns to the world community and it is the high time to take action to avert an emerging humanitarian crisis in the worn torn country.

Chaudhary Fawad Hussain said during Foreign Ministers' upcoming meeting of OIC member countries in Islamabad, we will appeal the Muslim world to extend a helping hand for Afghan people. He also appealed the world community to release assets of Afghanistan so they can deal with the current situation where common people are suffering.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain said the cabinet also approved leasing out of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation's properties in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir to private sector.

Answering a question, the Minister said Pakistan wants an inclusive government in Afghanistan. He said we will recognize the Afghan Government after it is recognized by the regional countries.