Senior NWFP provincial minister Mr Bashir Ahmed Bilour said on Wednesday evening that the government and the local Taliban has signed the “historic 15-point peace agreement.” Talking to reporters after conclusion of the third and final round of talks in Peshawar with representatives of Tehrik-e-Taliban, he said that both the parties agreed to make practical efforts for the establishment of durable peace in Swat and hence inked a peace truce.
“The local Taliban have agreed to cooperate with the state machinery in the maintenance of peace and harmony in the region besides binding them to cooperate with the government,” said Mr Bilour.
The minister, while dilating upon others points of the accord, said that measures will be taken for swapping the prisoners and there would be total ban on display of arms and ammunition. Similarly, he said, the Taliban will cooperate with the government health teams in campaigns against fatal diseases.
Mr Bilour said Imam Dheri Madrassa, the strong hold of Taliban from where the present uprising had started by rebellious cleric Maulana Fazalullah, will be converted into an Islamic university. The accord bounds Taliban against raising private militia in their respective areas, Mr Bilour added.
According to the peace truce, the Taliban will hand over lethal and heavy weaponry to the govern ment, will not attack CDs, barbar and music shops, will neither resort to suicide blasts and instead will condemn it and will allow women to perform their duties at the work place without any fear.
Moreover, the Taliban will accept writ of the government and only licensed FM radio stations would be allowed to operate in the area. The government will implement “Shariah” (Islamic laws) in Swat and Malakand divisions. The government has agreed to the gradual withdrawal of security forces from the district.
Meanwhile, Taliban militants said on Thursday that the success of a peace deal with the government in a north-western area depends on the complete enforcement of Islamic law in the region.
The agreement in the scenic Swat Valley ends months of fighting between troops and rebels loyal to pro-Taliban commander Maulana Fazlullah who was campaigning for the introduction of harsh Sharia law.
“We have accepted to give up the armed struggle because the government has agreed to the complete enforcement of the Sharia laws,” pro-Taliban militant spokesman Muslim Khan said in a statement.
“We are happy about the agreement but the success of agreement depends on the conduct of the government, especially in enforcing the Sharia laws,” Mr Khan said.