Swat Valley Militants, Govt Agree to Keep Deal Intact

The Tehreek Nifaz-e Shariat-e Muhammadi (TNSM), the key militant faction behind the Swat Valley peace deal, agreed to keep the deal intact after a meeting with officials from Pakistan’s Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP). TNSM chief Sufi Muhammad did not take part in the talks.

A key aspect of the talks was to reveal 14 previously-secret points of the accord to the public. Though the points had been discussed indirectly, it revealed that indeed, Sharia (Islamic law) would be enforced across the entire Malakand division and that the Taliban-linked militants agreed to denounce suicide attacks and assist in the polio vaccination efforts. The press indicated that President Zardari, who has yet to approve of the deal, wants the militants to surrender all weapons, while the deal only requires them to turn in rocket launchers and mortars.

Muhammad had previously threatened to end the deal, claiming the provincial government had not lived up to its promises, while a video of militants flogging a 17-year old girl in the Swat Valley had sparked an outcry against the deal among voters.