DHAKA: The son of the assassinated former prime minister of Pakistan, Benazir Bhutto, has called on the country’s authorities to take military action against militant groups.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said politicians must ‘wake up’ to the threat posed by armed groups such as the Taliban.

His comments in a BBC interview come as the government holds urgent talks over how to tackle growing violence.

Bhutto, 25, said he was considering standing in elections due in 2018.

Speaking exclusively to the BBC, he said Pakistan had exhausted the option of talks with militants and that military action was now needed.

‘Dialogue is always an option but we have to have a position of strength,’ he said.

‘How do you talk from a position of strength? You have to beat them on the battlefield. They’re fighting us.’

BDST: 1230 HRS, JAN 28, 2014