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Pakistan Truce Cedes Region to Militants

Posted May 21, 08 2:15 PM CDT in World 

(Newser) – Pakistan struck a peace deal today with Islamic militants in northwestern Pakistan, the AP reports. Under the pact, the military will slowly pull out of Swat, a region along the Afghanistan border, and allow radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah to install limited Islamic law there. In exchange, the militants will recognize government authority, halt attacks, and turn over any foreign members.

“Both parties are sincere about establishing peace in Swat,” said one government minister. But the US is less enthusiastic, noting that past deals haven’t decreased violence, and that this one might ease pressure on Taliban and al-Qaeda forces—allowing for increased attacks both in Pakistan and the West.

Source Associated Press

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Pakistani soldiers sit in an army truck in Mingora, in the Swat valley, in northern Pakistan Saturday Dec. 8, 2007. The army said Saturday government troops had forced Islamic militants out of their strongholds...   (AP Photo/Stephen Graham )
Pakistani paramilitary soldiers stand on alert at a check post to ensure the security after Friday night's suicide bombing, Saturday, March 1, 2008 in Mingora, the main town Pakistan's Swat valley.   (AP Photo/Mohammad Zubair)
A Pakistan's Army soldier sits on an armored vehicle as he monitors the area of Matta near Mangora, the main town of Pakistani district Swat along Afghan border, Sunday, Jan. 6, 2008.   (AP Photo/Sherin Zada)
Weapons and ammunitions confiscated from militants in search operations, are displayed for the media at an army base camp in Mingora, the main town of Pakistan's district Swat, March 8, 2008.   (AP Photo/Sherin Zada)
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