Pak govt scraps controversial peace deal with Taliban
Provoked by a spate of suicide attacks, Pakistan government today scrapped a controversial peace deal signed last month with the Taliban that had been bitterly opposed by the US but the militia said it was still holding truce.
By PTI |
ISLAMABAD: Provoked by a spate of suicide attacks, Pakistan government today scrapped a controversial peace deal signed last month with the Taliban that had been bitterly opposed by the US but the militia said it was still holding truce.
"The Swat agreement is scrapped as the militants have (continued) their attacks on security forces," Rahman Malik, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior Affairs, told reporters here.
The government in the Taliban-infested North West Frontier Province bordering Afghanistan had signed the agreement with militants in the restive Swat valley.
Under the agreement, militants had given a commitment to stop attacks on security forces while army was to be gradually withdrawn from the region.
The Taliban rejected Malik's statement saying as the deal was signed with the NWFP government, the Centre cannot scrap it and they were still holding to the truce.
Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said that "some elements" were trying to sabotage the peace process.
The peace agreement was signed with the NWFP government and "not with Rehman Malik", he said reacting to Malik's announcement and especially his stand that there would be no talks with hardline militants.
Khan told 'Dawn News' the local Taliban want to resolve their issues with the provincial government.
The Awami National Party-led NWFP government too reacted angrily to Malik's comments, with senior minister and ANP leader Bashir Bilour saying Malik should have consulted provincial authorities before making such statements.
"The Swat agreement is scrapped as the militants have (continued) their attacks on security forces," Rahman Malik, Advisor to the Prime Minister on Interior Affairs, told reporters here.
The government in the Taliban-infested North West Frontier Province bordering Afghanistan had signed the agreement with militants in the restive Swat valley.
Under the agreement, militants had given a commitment to stop attacks on security forces while army was to be gradually withdrawn from the region.
The Taliban rejected Malik's statement saying as the deal was signed with the NWFP government, the Centre cannot scrap it and they were still holding to the truce.
Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said that "some elements" were trying to sabotage the peace process.
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The peace agreement was signed with the NWFP government and "not with Rehman Malik", he said reacting to Malik's announcement and especially his stand that there would be no talks with hardline militants.
Khan told 'Dawn News' the local Taliban want to resolve their issues with the provincial government.
The Awami National Party-led NWFP government too reacted angrily to Malik's comments, with senior minister and ANP leader Bashir Bilour saying Malik should have consulted provincial authorities before making such statements.
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