Malakand Peace Agreement: Response from Pakistan Government:

Peace deal in Swat beneficial to Pakistan

The Prime Minister of Pakistan Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the peace deal in Swat will be beneficial for the country and was part of government’s policy of dialogue, development and deterrence. Prime Minister has said the government has opted to hold dialogue as it believed that the use of force was not the only solution.

“The provincial government is talking to the Jirgas, and if successful, it will be beneficial for the country,” he said and added the peace deal was part of government’s three-pronged policy. Gilani further said he had apprised President Bush, Congressmen and others, when they visited Pakistan that military option was not the only solution to tackle the issue of militancy.

Such actions are taken only when the federal or the provincial governments seek the services of the army.

“The army is called in for assistance and they do not go on their own and then there is also a need for having an exit policy,” Gilani said.

He said there was also a need for building the capacity of the law enforcing agencies and to focus on their needs so that when peace returns, they can perform their functions.

The Prime Minister said it was with this objective that a policy of dialogue has been pursued and the local Jirgas were holding dialogue with the militants. He said in the recent meeting on Swat it was decided to pursue this option and if successful, it would be beneficial for the country.

The NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haidar Khan Hoti has said that the decision of the Adl Regulation System would guarantee long lasting peace in the province especially in Swat.

The Chief Minister termed the announcement of the Adl Regulation system historical and lauded the efforts of Maulana Sufi Muhammad and his associates who have assured restoration of peace in the Malakand Division.

The Chief Minister also announced the establishment of special task force to monitor the implementation of Adl Regulation System.

“The cases under the system will be decided in specific time frame and the facility of Appellate courts will also be provided in Malakand Division in order to provide speedy justice to the people at their doorsteps. Civil and criminal cases will be decided in six and four months respectively,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that with the restoration of peace, the process of development and infrastructure in the affected areas will start soon. He said the President of Pakistan has also approved a special package for the affectors.

The Chief Minister welcomed the decision of 10-day ceasefire in Swat. He said the Adl Regulation System is according to the constitution and the federal government and other national bodies were taken into confidence on the matter.

“It is our collective duty to work for peace and development in the province and to stop more blood shed,” he reiterated. He further said, “everything is meaningless without peace and writ of the government is indispensable for the implementation of decisions of the government, and collective efforts will be required against those who will try to spoil efforts of the government.”

Information Minister Sherry Rehman has said that President Asif Ali Zardari would approve the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation after the restoration of peace in the Malakand region.

The proposed Nizam-e-Adal Regulation will bring speedy justice at the doorsteps of the common man, she said.

This regulation will also meet the demand of the people for the establishment of an Appellate forum in their own area. Sherry stressed that the deal should not be seen as a ‘concession’ to the militants. “It is in no way a sign of the State’s weakness,” she said.

The public will of the Swat region is at the centre of all the efforts and it should be taken into account while debating the merits of this agreement, she added.