The imperative of peace in Swat

The peace agreement between the government and the Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Muhammadi has brought an enthusiastic response from the people of Swat. There were jubilations and peace marches in different parts of the valley. Indeed, the whole country has heaved a sigh of relief. The rising death toll of innocent Swatis, known for their exemplary gentleness and humility, their mass exodus from the valley to safer areas, the widespread disruption of life and rank misery were a source of great anguish for all Pakistanis and should be so to all those who have a sense of humanity. The return to normal life, already partly in evidence, like the resumption of female education that suffered most at the hands of militants should be unequivocally greeted with satisfaction.
Somehow, the US whose policies of force laced with unfulfilled promises of socio-economic development have been responsible for causing outrage in the country is not happy at the deal and is of the view that the accord would provide a welcome break to militants to refurbish their strength and strike again. The immediate feeling of President Obama's special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, found expression in his words "troubled and confused", though later the US adopted a 'wait-and-see' attitude, withholding its reaction till the outcome of the peace deal becomes clear. To be honest, apprehensions about whether the agreement will hold do exist in the minds of Pakistanis as well, but that should not preclude attempts at giving the prospects of peace a chance.
The argument, usually advanced by the US and NATO allies, that the previous attempts at getting rid of militancy through peace overtures had backfired and, in fact, resulted in strengthening the hands of terrorists would not most likely be relevant in the case of Swat since here the TNSM's agenda is quite different from the Taliban's. Maulana Sufi Muhammad, its leader, has been agitating for the re-enforcement of Nizam-i-Adl (Sharia courts) in Malakand Division and Kohistan since early 1990s, much before 9/11 took place and Al-Qaeda came into the limelight or the Americans began perceiving the Taliban as a threat to their security.