Security
Pakistan: Taliban wants amnesty for militants in exchange for peace
Karachi, 20 Feb. (AKI) - By Syed Saleem Shahzad - The Pakistani Taliban is demanding an amnesty for jailed militants and the withdrawal of the armed forces from the Swat Valley in the country's north-west before it endorses a peace agreement in the region. Taliban sources told Adnkronos International (AKI) that the Taliban's shura, or tribal council, was expected to finalise its position late Friday and announce its response at the weekend.
Sources said that the leader of Sufi Mohammad, the leader of Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Mohammadi, discussed details of the government's proposal to Taliban leader Maulana Fazlullah, demanding that the Taliban lay down its arms.
But the Taliban expressed its concerns and demanded guarantees regarding the withdrawal of around 10,000 Pakistani army soldiers deployed in the Swat Valley.
The Taliban is also demanding the release of all prisoners including Maulana Abdul Aziz, a radical cleric linked to the Red Mosque seige that resulted in the deaths of more than 170 people in July 2007, as well as unconditional amnesty so that the Taliban can operate from its headquarters in Imam Dheri in Swat.
Leaders also want financial compensation for the families of members who were killed and for property damage caused by the Pakistani army.
After presenting the Taliban's views, Fazlullah entrusted Mohamamad to negotiate with the government on the Taliban's behalf.
Sources said that the Taliban and Mohammad had completed the third phase of their talks.
Fazlullah, the leader of the Taliban in Swat, is also said to be in contact with colleagues in North and South Waziristan and also consulted the head of the Tekrik-i-Taliban in Pakistan, Baitullah Mehsud.
Meanwhile, a curfew was imposed and troops were deployed after a suicide attack in Dera Ismail Khan in North West Frontier Province killed at least 27 people and wounded more than 50 others on Friday.
Security forces have confirmed that the cities of Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore were also on high alert in case the Swat peace negotiations failed, as a Taliban backlash is expected in the bigger cities of the country.
The Pakistani government has dismissed growing criticism of a peace accord it endorsed with Mohammad's Tehrik Nifaz-i-Shariat Muhammadi for the introduction of Islamic Sharia law in the Swat Valley.
The peace deal announced on Monday allows for the imposition of Islamic Sharia law in the former tourist region and surrounding districts, in exchange for an end to the Taliban insurgency which has killed hundreds and forced hundreds of thousands to flee.
Sources said that the leader of Sufi Mohammad, the leader of Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Mohammadi, discussed details of the government's proposal to Taliban leader Maulana Fazlullah, demanding that the Taliban lay down its arms.
But the Taliban expressed its concerns and demanded guarantees regarding the withdrawal of around 10,000 Pakistani army soldiers deployed in the Swat Valley.
The Taliban is also demanding the release of all prisoners including Maulana Abdul Aziz, a radical cleric linked to the Red Mosque seige that resulted in the deaths of more than 170 people in July 2007, as well as unconditional amnesty so that the Taliban can operate from its headquarters in Imam Dheri in Swat.
Leaders also want financial compensation for the families of members who were killed and for property damage caused by the Pakistani army.
After presenting the Taliban's views, Fazlullah entrusted Mohamamad to negotiate with the government on the Taliban's behalf.
Sources said that the Taliban and Mohammad had completed the third phase of their talks.
Fazlullah, the leader of the Taliban in Swat, is also said to be in contact with colleagues in North and South Waziristan and also consulted the head of the Tekrik-i-Taliban in Pakistan, Baitullah Mehsud.
Meanwhile, a curfew was imposed and troops were deployed after a suicide attack in Dera Ismail Khan in North West Frontier Province killed at least 27 people and wounded more than 50 others on Friday.
Security forces have confirmed that the cities of Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore were also on high alert in case the Swat peace negotiations failed, as a Taliban backlash is expected in the bigger cities of the country.
The Pakistani government has dismissed growing criticism of a peace accord it endorsed with Mohammad's Tehrik Nifaz-i-Shariat Muhammadi for the introduction of Islamic Sharia law in the Swat Valley.
The peace deal announced on Monday allows for the imposition of Islamic Sharia law in the former tourist region and surrounding districts, in exchange for an end to the Taliban insurgency which has killed hundreds and forced hundreds of thousands to flee.
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