Pakistani leaders turn to negotiations

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, March 22 (UPI) -- Negotiations, not violence, will be used in an attempt to stem the growing number of militant attacks in Pakistan, top Pakistani leaders say.

While U.S. officials have supported increased military efforts against militant groups in Pakistan, the leaders of the country's new coalition government have instead decided to negotiate with those behind a recent spate of bombings, The New York Times reported Saturday.

During the first 10 weeks of 2008 alone, 17 bombings have taken place in Pakistan. It has been suggested the attacks were a direct result of greater U.S. involvement in Pakistan, particularly regarding government military efforts against suspected militants.

Pakistan Muslim League head Nawaz Sharif said the proposed negotiations with militants would mark a more reasonable attempt to end the ongoing violence.

"We are dealing with our own people," Sharif said. "We will deal with them very sensibly. And when you have a problem in your own family, you don't kill your own family. You sit and talk."

Meanwhile, the BBC said Pakistani politician Yusuf Raza Gillani and Punjab province party chief Shah Mahmood Qureshi are expected to compete for the role of Pakistan's new prime minister.