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Pakistan, local Taliban sign peace agreement

Attacks on security forces and government assets to be stopped

— PHOTO: AFP

A Pakistani policeman escorts suspected Taliban fighters arrested in a raid on a private hospital in Quetta, in this August 15 file photo.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday signed a deal with local Taliban militants in North Waziristan bordering Afghanistan aiming at ending years of unrest in the restive tribal belt. The agreement, brokered by a ``Grand Jirga'' (council) was signed in Miranshah, the main town of the North Waziristan, local private Geo TV reported.

The members of the Jirga, government officials, tribal elders and local Taliban militants were present. Under the agreement, the North Waziristan tribal elders, local mujahideen and ulema should ensure that attacks on the security forces and government assets are stopped.

There would be no to and fro crossing on the border for militant action in Afghanistan. All foreigners in North Waziristan would leave Pakistan and those opting to stay would remain peaceful and respect the law. The government property, vehicles, wireless sets etc. seized during the skirmishes would be returned to the Government.

The agreement also outlined some government obligations. The Government would free all those arrested during the operations and they would not be re-arrested for past incidents and all the national privileges would be restored. Check posts set up on the roads in north tribal region would be wound up. The land and air operations would be stopped and the problems would be resolved in the light of the traditions.

Under the tribal tradition, there was no ban on arms but heavy weapons remain proscribed. The implementation of the agreement would commence with the pulling out of the troops from the check posts to the military camps. A 10-member committee has been set up which included tribal elders and members of political administration.

Xinhua

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