Swat Peace Deal - The Aftermath

[Kasrkin]

MOD EDIT: Old 'Swat Operations II thread here: http://www.defence.pk/forums/war-terror/13094-swat-operation-ii.html

 

[Kasrkin]

The Soviet army was a tough army. Their special forces, Spetznatz commandos, were second to none. They had more troops in Afghanistan than those presently fielded by the western allies. They had a more effective grip on the major cities of Afghanistan than anything the Americans can claim. Even when they withdrew in Feb 1989, their protégé, Najibullah, survived for another three years and only fell when Boris Yeltsin's Russia stopped gasoline supplies (and also because Abdul Rashid Dostum defected to the mujahedeen).

But the Mujahedeen of Afghanistan were being all but fielded against the Soviets by Pakistanis, Iranians, Chinese, etc. Many countries in the Muslim World and the West were actively consorting with the Mujahedeen without which the ‘Pakhtoon hardihood’ would barely have been a minor headache for the Soviet backed government. And the Soviet Union was also not the sole super-power of the time, unlike the US is today. The case with Swat Taliban and the Afghan Mujahedeen is very different. These nutters can certainly be dealt with.

 

[lowe1941]

This Clash between Radical Islamic Muslims and the Civilized world including moderate and liberal Muslims as we are witnessing around the world is not a clash of religions, or a clash of civilizations.. It is a clash between two opposites, between two eras, .....a clash between a mentality that belongs to the Middle Ages, the dark ages and another mentalityh that belongs to the 21st Century.
"The rest of the world is busy with the conquest of space, genetic engineering and the wonders of the computer, while Radical Islamic Muslim countries, or areas of countries are fascist, autocratic or theocratic, where women are subjugated and minorities persecuted. Radical Islamic countries and areas unless setting on a sea of oil are sick with poverty and have been for centuries and allways will be...

These cultures have failed to evolve, and this conflict will continue for generations.its inevitable...its just the way nature and evolution works....
The earth is full of anger,
The seas are dark with wrath,
The Nation in its harness,
Go up against our path,
Ere yet we loose the legions-
Ere yet we draq the blade-
Jehovah of the Thunders,
Lord God of Battles, aid!
Kipling

 

[Solomon2]

MINGORA: Taliban militants kidnapped the top government administrator and six of his guards in Pakistan's northwestern Swat valley on Sunday, the
group and officials said, dealing a blow to efforts to restore peace there.

Khushal Khan was on his way to Mingora, the main town of Swat, in his car when he was abducted by "miscreants", Syed Mohammad Jawed, commissioner for the Malakand division, which includes Swat, said.

Pakistani authorities on Monday struck a deal with Islamists to restore Islamic sharia law in an effort to pacify Swat, an alpine valley where the Pakistan military has struggled to put down a Taliban uprising.

A Taliban spokesman in Swat, Muslim Khan, claimed responsibility for the abduction of the administrator. "He is our guest. We have to discuss some issues with him. We will serve him with tea and then free him," he said.

A journalist working for a local television channel and a newspaper was abducted and killed on Wednesday as he was accompanying a "peace march" led by a radical cleric who struck a deal with the government for restoration of Islamic law in Malakand.

Taliban had denounced the killing of the journalist and denied their involvement.

Representatives of the cleric, Maulana Sufi Mohammad, are now engaged in talks with the militants to give up militancy.

The militants announced a 10-day ceasefire to pave the way for Mohammad to clinch the deal with authorities.

Officials on Saturday said the government and the militants had agreed a "permanent truce" but a Taliban commander said their ceasefire would be reviewed on its expiry on Wednesday.

Around 1,200 people have been killed and between 250,000 to 50,000 people have fled the valley since violence intensified in the mid-2007.

Western governments and liberal Pakistanis have been alarmed by the Swat pact, saying it would strengthen militants and could result in another sanctuary in Pakistan where al-Qaida and the Taliban could move freely.

But Pakistani officials are defending the pact saying it is the best available option to stem the rising tide of militancy flowing from the wild tribal region on the Afghan border to cities and towns and to isolate Islamists from the hardcore militants. link

 

[batmannow]

GEO Pakistan
All possible steps to be taken for peace in Swat: Maj. Gen Abbas
Updated at: 2020 PST, Sunday, February 22, 2009

MINGORA: Director General ISPR Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas Sunday said establishing peace in Swat is the basic requirement, thus all possible steps will be taken to ensure peace in the area.

He said the troops continue to stay in the valley while all the options are open to the government.

Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas underlining the use of modern equipments, said it will not only enhance the efficiency of the armed forces but also help reduce collateral damage.

 

[Pk_Thunder]

Swat accord is not surrender​

By Kunwar Idris
Sunday, 22 Feb, 2009 | 09:31 AM PST

A DAY after President Zardari conceded in an interview with an American television channel that the Taliban had established their presence across large swathes of Pakistan, the government of the NWFP, with his approval, recognised the presence of the militia in Swat — one which could not be eradicated even by military action.

Only time can tell whether this recognition will work to advance or check the aim of the Taliban which, in Mr Zardari’s words, is “to take over the state of Pakistan and our way of life”. The instant merit of the agreement between the provincial government and Maulana Sufi Mohammad, however, lies in bringing to an end the sufferings to which the people of that once idyllic valley have long been subjected.

The jubilant crowds on the streets of Swat were celebrating not the advent of Sharia law but the return of normality — let there be no mistake about it. The ovation given to Sufi Mohammad was not because of recognition of him as a harbinger of a new order but as a messenger of peace. Even if he is unable to persuade his Taliban son-in-law Fazlullah to lay down his arms and abide by the agreement, Swat’s worst nightmare, it seems, is over. If the political administration now acts sensibly and promptly, Fazlullah’s marauding men will no longer be able to raid music shops, harass women or burn down schools.

The reaction of Pakistan’s allies — the US and Nato — quite predictably has been sceptical. Both would have preferred Pakistan to press on with its military campaign. They suspect that the ceasefire would only provide a respite, giving the terrorists time to regroup and mount their assault again. The allies, however, have conveniently overlooked the ground reality that the army operation was alienating the population without exterminating the fanatical fighters.

Thus even if the agreement fails to take hold, the ceasefire provides an opportunity to the government to muster popular support more than it does to the terrorists to refurbish their armoury. The loss of life and earnings that people of all vocations have undergone seems to suggest that they would rather put up with the present system howsoever corrupt or unjust than suffer all the more while waiting for an elusive Islamic order.

In any case the agreement between Maulana Sufi Mohammad and the NWFP government stipulates no more than a judicial system based on the Sharia laws to be introduced in the former princely states of Swat, Dir, Chitral, the protected area of Malakand and Hazara Kohistan. The executive authority and all other regulatory and developmental functions will continue to vest in the provincial and federal governments under the same laws as are applicable to the rest of the country.

The judicial system envisaged in the agreement is hardly any different from what was in vogue in the former princely states before they were made districts. It was informal, inexpensive and expeditious even if harsh and not always just. Such was the experience of this writer as resident political agent and adviser of Chitral state as also of his colleagues in Dir and Swat. The formal introduction of Sharia courts now that the states have become districts must not be viewed as Talibanisation of their society or institutions. For all purposes other than the trial of criminal cases and adjudication of civil disputes they will continue to administer justice as is done in other districts of the country.

It needs to be clearly understood that the three states and other parts of Malakand and Hazara divisions are not tribal societies nor wild territories in the sense that next-door Bajaur and Mohmand or further Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai and North and South Waziristan are. It was wrong to have grouped them as Pata, i.e. provincially administered tribal areas, for they are not tribal as are the federally administered agencies collectively called Fata. Between Pata and Fata there is little affinity or communication. Even the language and social norms differ. Swat has cultural and lingual links with settled Mardan but none with the Mohmands, for instance.

Likewise, Sufi Mohammad’s Tehrik Nifaz-i-Shariat Muhammadi predates the Taliban phenomenon and had no connection with it — until recently. It was the agony caused by the expense, delay and corruption inherent in the operation of the unfamiliar and complex laws of Pakistan that persuaded him to launch a mass campaign for the enforcement of Sharia law in Dir much before 9/11. As the campaign dragged on, Sufi Mohammad’s son-in-law Fazlullah from his base in Swat established contacts with the Taliban and the movement took a violent turn.

Despite this connection which surely brought the TNSM arms and money, it remains essentially an independent movement confined to Dir and Swat. The occupation of Pakistan and the destruction of America do not appear to be its goal. It would not have gathered the momentum it has if our local councils instead of indulging in politics had attended to the needs of the common people and had spared them the torture of prolonged litigations. The provisions of the local government law relating to the care of the poor and settlement of disputes at the village level had all along remained a dead letter.

Pakistan stands much to gain and its allies in the “war on terror” have little to lose if the Sharia courts bring tranquillity and tourists back to the Swat valley and the mountains beyond that are among the highest in the world. Sharia law is not new to the area but violence is. As political agent in the 1960s, this writer presided over both Chitral’s Sharia system and its secular judicial council only to wonder now whether the people living under Pakistan’s elaborate judicial system could ever be as law-abiding, tolerant of dissent and content in poverty as were the Chitralis then. Swatis were not much different.

Given a just and non-intrusive but firm administration they can be the same again. Advice from Ijlal Hyder Zaidi who had long served in the region and was later Benazir Bhutto’s adviser should help. Talking to the mullahs and militants undoubtedly has its risk but it is one worth taking for the survival of Pakistan and peace of the region. The liberals and militarists will surely live to fight another day.

 

[ejaz007]

Swat schools reopen after peace deal
Updated at: 0535 PST, Monday, February 23, 2009


SWAT: Almost all schools in district of Swat are open following peace deal between the government and Tehrik Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi.

The peace deal was reached between the NWFP provincial government led by Awami National Party and banned militants group led by TNSM.

Academic activities in Swat schools are back amid strict security. However, official sources said security presence would be maintained in the district until situation returns to normal.

Officials also maintained that security around academic institutions has been tightened.

Swat schools reopen after peace deal

 

[ejaz007]

DCO Swat, bodyguards released
Updated at: 0335 PST, Monday, February 23, 2009


SWAT: The newly appointed District Co-ordination Officer (DCO) of Swat, Khushhal Khan was released along with his six bodyguards, Tehrik Taliban Swat spokesman Haji Mulsim Khan told Geo News Sunday.

They were not abducted, he said, adding that the step was taken in response to the violation of truce deal from the government.

Khan said that the government had arrested two of their accomplices from Peshawar while one was gunned down in District Dir after the peace agreement, which forced them to take this step.

“We want to send a clear message that what we can do if peace deal is violated,” said Khan.

The spokesman informed that DCO Swat Khushhal Khan was safe and treated as guest.

It may be reminded that DCO Swat Khushhal Khan on way to Mingora from Saidu Sharif when he was abducted along with his six bodyguards by unidentified armed men Qambar area.

DCO Swat, bodyguards released

 

[HAIDER]

Today happiest day of this month....Swat girls and boys schools open today...first day of classes 40% student showed, but still positive sign..

 

[lowe1941]

The Pakistani military has repeatedly launched offensives in the tribal agencies and settled districts of Swat, Tank, and North and South Waziristan, only to halt after taking heavy casualties and conduct negotiations with the Taliban, this is just one more time...the taliban will rearm and regroup and then launch more attacks....unless Pakistan surrendered to the taliban permantly this time..

 

[ejaz007]

‘Army has ceased Swat operations’

ISLAMABAD: The military operation in Swat has been stopped and the Pakistan Army fully supports the peace deal as an instrument to find a non-military solution to the problem, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Athar Abbas said while addressing a seminar on Monday. “Pakistan Army ... has backed the Swat peace deal to strengthen the hands of the political government,” he said, adding that the security of the state was the military’s top priority. staff report

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[ejaz007]

Sufi’s 10-point Swat peace plan

* TNSM chief asks Taliban to remove checkpoints, not to display weapons * Asks government to withdraw troops from schools

Staff Report

MINGORA: Sufi Muhammad, chief of the banned Tehreek Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM), announced a 10-point peace plan for Swat in a press conference on Monday.

Sufi asked the Taliban to remove all their checkposts and not to display arms in the Swat valley. He asked the government to withdraw troops from schools and other buildings and stop all military operations immediately.

He also called on the Taliban and the government to release each others prisoners. The TNSM chief asked employees of the district administration to resume their duties, and the government to reinstate such Frontier Corps, police and government officials who had been sacked during the past few years.

He demanded immediate compensation for the people of Swat, inviting the NWFP chief minister to visit the valley to make an announcement in this regard.

Meanwhile, schools reopened in Mingora and other areas of Swat, but girls’ attendance at both the government and private schools remained thin.

Swat District Coordination Officer (DCO) Khushhal Khan said arrangements would soon be made to rebuild the schools that had been destroyed.

Malakand Commissioner Muhammad Javed briefed Chief Minister Ameer Haidar Khan Hoti in Peshawar on the situation in Swat.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[ajpirzada]

most of the demands make sense. however i am not sure if gov should release talibans but may be they have no option if they want this peace deal to work

 

[ajpirzada]

anyways gud to know peace has come back to swat. ppl living there must be thanking God

 

[ejaz007]

Swat deal local solution to local problem: Qureshi
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Afghan FM conveys country’s serious concern


WASHINGTON: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Tuesday described the Swat peace arrangement as a “local solution to a local problem,” emphasising that it would in no way affect Islamabad’s resolve to get rid of violent extremism afflicting the region.

“The logic behind this agreement is a local solution to a local problem, which is quick dispensation of justice. It is not any appeasement of militants,” he told journalists after meeting his Afghan counterpart Rangeen Dafdar Spanta.

“Pakistan’s determination and resolve to defeat terrorism is as sound as it was. We are absolutely clear in our objectives,” he added, when asked about the agreement between the NWFP government and the people of Swat.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan Muhammad Sadiq and Director General ISI Lt-Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha accompanied the foreign minister during his meeting with the Afghan delegation.

The Pakistani and Afghan foreign ministers are in Washington to attend bilateral as well as trilateral meetings with senior US officials as part of an ongoing review of the US policy towards Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Putting the development in its historical context, Qureshi said Swat was a princely state that worked under a peculiar judicial system, they were comfortable with it, aimed at quick and inexpensive justice.

“This is a continuation of the demand — through this agreement we have addressed procedural difficulties, it is not a compromise, there is no question of any capitulation. We will continue to do what have to do in our own interest,” he said.

Qureshi said he had assured his Afghan counterpart “that there was nothing to be apprehensive” about this arrangement. “It is a local arrangement for a local purpose, nothing beyond, nothing that will undermine our commitment to fighting extremism and terrorism and nothing that will undermine the closeness that Pakistan has developed with Afghanistan.”

Afghan Foreign Minister Spanta underlined that the Afghan government had confidence in the leadership of Pakistan. He said he “conveyed Afghanistan’s serious concern” in this regard to the Pakistani foreign minister “who informed me of the situation.”

“We look forward, hope to strengthen cooperation between the two countries to address the challenges, to address the menace of terrorism as common enemy for stability, peace and prosperity of Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

Qureshi said he looked forward to developing “greater understanding, a communication of our point of view, sharing of information and developing a convergence of interests,” at review meetings with senior US officials during the visit. The top Pakistani and Afghan diplomats have been invited to attend meetings with Secretary Hillary Clinton and other senior American officials as part of the Barack Obama Administration’s review of the US policy toward Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Swat deal local solution to local problem: Qureshi