Plot against tribal peace process

Pakistan’s Taliban movement has suspended all the peace agreements signed with the new civilian government two months ago in response to the security operation launched on June 28, 2008 by the Frontier Corps which destroyed the hideouts of Lashkar-i-Islam and Ansarul Islam in Bara region of Khyber Agency and suburbs of Peshawar to check the “growing criminal activities” of their militants.

It is the first operation, launched at the behest of the elected provincial government. In this respect, NWFP CM Ameer Haider Khan Hoti told the provincial assembly on July 1 that the militants had “established a parallel government and a judicial system” there and the rulers had no option, but to “use force as the writ of the government was being challenged.” He made it clear that the army chief had no discretion to decide the ongoing operation. Before him, PM Gilani has also confirmed this statement.

As regards the FATA peace process, both the government and Taliban leaders have blamed each other for backing out from peace deals.

While people all over Pakistan had heaved a sigh of relief when the new official policy of talks with the militants led to an end of suicide attacks, but the law and order situation had gradually deteriorated. Execution of 22 members of a peace committee in South Waziristan, another eruption of fighting between Lashkar-e-Islam and Ansar-ul-Islam in Khyber Agency and communal attacks in Kurrum Agency might be cited as an example of violence.

In Swat too, despite a peace accord subversive acts kept on going in towns where moderate parties have recently won the elections with a majority - indicate that a minority wants to force its point of view on the former.