ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 – Pakistan’s cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan Wednesday appealed to the Pakistani Taliban to participate in the peace talks with the government, a media report said.

Khan, who is the chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), said there was a need for peace in the country and urged the Taliban to start the talks, Geo News reported.

He said restoration of peace in Pakistan was not possible until US drone attacks stopped.

The Pakistani Taliban has refused to talk to the government after a US drone attack killed their chief, Hakimullah Mehsud, in North Waziristan tribal region Nov 1.

The attack took place just a day ahead of a meeting between a government-led team and the Taliban.

Pakistan accused the US of sabotaging the peace process with the Taliban. IANS