Spring Break
Pakistan, pro-Taliban group in peace talks
Nahal Toosi - The Associated Press
Issue date: 2/16/09 Section: News
ISLAMABAD - Pakistani officials on Sunday hammered out a peace deal with a Taliban-linked group that could lead to the enforcement of elements of Islamic law in parts of the northwest, prompting militants in the blood-soaked Swat Valley to declare a 10-day cease-fire as a goodwill gesture.
The agreement, expected to be formally announced Monday, could re-spark U.S. criticism that Pakistan's truces with insurgents merely gives them time to regroup. Although several of its past deals failed, Pakistan says force alone cannot defeat al-Qaida and Taliban fighters sowing havoc in its northwest and attacking U.S. troops in neighboring Afghanistan.
Swat is a former tourist haven that has fallen under heavy militant sway despite a lengthy army offensive. Regaining Swat is a major test for Pakistan's shaky civilian leadership. Unlike the semiautonomous tribal regions where al-Qaida and Taliban have long thrived, the valley is supposed to fall fully under government control.
Provincial government leaders confirmed they were talking to a pro-Taliban group about ways to impose Islamic judicial practices in the Malakand division, which includes Swat. Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said the militants would adhere to any deal reached with the group if Islamic law was actually implemented in the region.
Khan announced the militants had freed a Chinese engineer held captive for nearly six months as a positive gesture. Long Xiaowei - who was kidnapped in August - was freed Saturday, days before a planned visit to China by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.
Khan also announced the 10-day cease-fire.
"We reserve the right to retaliate if we are fired upon," he said. "Once Islamic law is imposed there will be no problems in Swat. The Taliban will lay down their arms."
But provincial law minister Arshad Abdullah said the agreement would require the pro-Taliban group to convince the militants to first give up violence. Then, existing laws governing the justice system can be amended or enforced, he said.
The agreement, expected to be formally announced Monday, could re-spark U.S. criticism that Pakistan's truces with insurgents merely gives them time to regroup. Although several of its past deals failed, Pakistan says force alone cannot defeat al-Qaida and Taliban fighters sowing havoc in its northwest and attacking U.S. troops in neighboring Afghanistan.
Swat is a former tourist haven that has fallen under heavy militant sway despite a lengthy army offensive. Regaining Swat is a major test for Pakistan's shaky civilian leadership. Unlike the semiautonomous tribal regions where al-Qaida and Taliban have long thrived, the valley is supposed to fall fully under government control.
Provincial government leaders confirmed they were talking to a pro-Taliban group about ways to impose Islamic judicial practices in the Malakand division, which includes Swat. Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said the militants would adhere to any deal reached with the group if Islamic law was actually implemented in the region.
Khan announced the militants had freed a Chinese engineer held captive for nearly six months as a positive gesture. Long Xiaowei - who was kidnapped in August - was freed Saturday, days before a planned visit to China by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.
Khan also announced the 10-day cease-fire.
"We reserve the right to retaliate if we are fired upon," he said. "Once Islamic law is imposed there will be no problems in Swat. The Taliban will lay down their arms."
But provincial law minister Arshad Abdullah said the agreement would require the pro-Taliban group to convince the militants to first give up violence. Then, existing laws governing the justice system can be amended or enforced, he said.
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