Pakistani Govt Makes Deal With Islamic Militants

As President Asif Ali Zardari warned CBS that the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were trying to take over Pakistan, his government was putting the finishing touches on a deal that may end the ongoing fight in the Swat Valley, and will also place the NWFP division of Malakand under Islamic law.

Pakistani forces have been engaged in military operations in the Swat Valley since 2007, killing large numbers of civilians and displacing hundreds of thousands. The operations did little to return the region to government control, and many local officials had been pressing for a settlement. That settlement is expected to be announced as soon as Monday.

The TTP freed a Chinese hostage as a sign of good will, and has announced a 10-day ceasefire pending the formal announcement of the deal. President Zardari has ordered compensation be paid to all those affected by the NWFP violence.