Pakistan could become "the failed state" everyone fears it will if all parties are not brought to the negotiating table, said cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan, as he offered to broker a deal between the Taliban and the government.
Imran said the people "are desperate for peace and stability". "My country is fighting for its survival" and "I would do anything I could".
"If Obama's surge of troops to Afghanistan is used to bring all parties to the table then there is hope for the future, otherwise Pakistan could become the failed state everyone fears it will," he told The Daily Telegraph newspaper.
Imran offered to broker a deal between the Pakistani Taliban and the government, which should have the sanctity of the constitution.
The former Pakistan cricket captain said he was "the only one they (Taliban) trust because I am not seen as an American stooge. The people know I am independent".
Imran said he asked the prime minister to call an all-party conference to provide mandate from the Pakistan government, within the constitution and ratified by the government.
"I suggested it a week ago," he said. "If Karzai (Afghanistan's president) and the coalition forces are beginning to talk to the Afghan Taliban, why aren't we taking to the Pakistani Taliban? I have offered to act as a go-between," he told the British daily.
{{/usCountry}}"I suggested it a week ago," he said. "If Karzai (Afghanistan's president) and the coalition forces are beginning to talk to the Afghan Taliban, why aren't we taking to the Pakistani Taliban? I have offered to act as a go-between," he told the British daily.
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