Peace Jirga leaves for talks with Maulana Sufi at Deolai

SWAT: Defunct outfit Tahrik-e-Nifaz Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM) and Swat Peace Jirga are holding talks today, as a delegation of national peace Jirga has left for Deolai.

Sources said that the defunct outfit TNSM and Swat Peace Jirga are holding talks today at Deolai area of Tehsil Kabal here, which would mainly focus on future strategy for the restoration of permanent peace in the district.

Later on, TNSM caravan will reach Landakai from Deolai en-route Shahderai and Shamozai and finally to the Mingora town.

TNSM spokesman, Amir Izzat Khan said that the peace march aims at wiping out the fears and panic from among the affected people. The peace caravan will stay put in Swat until peace restored in the entire district.

Swat education department said that government boys’ schools all across the district have been declared open, while the private schools in the area were already open.

source : jang.com.pk

TNSM delegation reaches Swat

TIMERGARA: The delegation of Tanzim Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) led by its Chief Maulana Sufi Muhammad has reached the troubled Swat valley to fulfill its promise of restoring peace.

According to sources, the spokesman for the TNSM said that Maulana Sufi Muhammad would remain in Swat till restoration of calm. During his stay in Swat, he will convince Maulana Fazlullah of renouncing militancy after the enforcement of a Nizam-e-Adl Regulation.

The spokesman of TNSM Ameer Izzat Khan said that Sufi would hold public gatherings in the valley to persuade the people, particularly those who had picked up arms, stop fighting after the government Nizam-e-Adl Regulation had been promulgated.

source : jang.com.pk

Swat situation affected entire country: Holbrooke

NEW DELHI: U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke Monday said the Swat situation affected the entire country.

Talking to journalists after arriving here, Holbrooke said he learned about the Nizam-e-Adl accord and Swat ceasefire when he was in the plane and therefore has very limited knowledge on the new developments. I would talk to the U.S. Ambassador on the ceasefire agreement, he added.

Richard Holbrooke said he could not go to Swat during his recent Pakistan visit and added that not only the people of Swat are facing hardship due to the bad situation there but the entire country including Karachi and Islamabad is also being affected.

Army to pull out, if peace returns to Swat: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that the army would be pulled out, if peace restored in Swat.

Talking to media here, the prime minister said that the agitation was the right of the lawyers, how could they be stopped.

Yusuf Raza Gilani said that US drone attacks were counterproductive and not in the interest of the country, which he condemns. He said that the US would have to review its policy.

Earlier addressing a conference, the prime minister said that the load shedding crisis was the greatest challenge for the government and there was no need of getting nervous on challenges.

He said that IMF-set targets have been achieved. He further asked for restraining ourselves for the betterment of the economy. PM said that the talks with Iran were underway for 1100MW electricity.

Use of force not only option in Swat: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Friday said not all issues could be resolved through military means alone and other measures also need to be taken to stabilise situation in Swat.

Talking to media after attending a briefing at the Planning Commission on country’s future course of action towards development, PM Gilani said the global economic recession had its impact on Pakistan, but hoped that economic indicators would help the country through this period.

Gilani said the IMF has also noted that Pakistan has met its targets. The prime minister when questioned about the petroleum prices said it was for the first time in country’s history that his government proportionately lowered the prices.

Asked whether Pakistan plans a similar response from India over the Samjhota Express tragedy as it did on Mumbai attacks, Gilani said additional information has been sought from India.

Adviser on Finance Shaukat Tareen said the government has to take tough decisions to address the state of economy that it inherited. He hinted that it would take some time before the economy could be turned around.

source : jang.com.pk

Security forces hit militants’ hideouts in Swat

SWAT: Security forces pounded militants hideouts in upper parts of tehsil Kabal, Matta and Khawazakhel, however no causality was reported.

Meanwhile, curfew remained continued in district Swat except Mingora, which multiplied the problems of local residents.

Five militants among nine die in Swat

SWAT: At least nine people were killed, including five militants, in different violent acts in restive Swat valley on Monday.

The militants blew up yet another girls’ school and basic healthcare center situated in Matta tehsil.

According to sources, security forces backed by helicopter gunships and artillery shelled suspected hideouts of militants in Oogro, Takht Band and Angro Dherai areas, on the outskirts of Mingora, killing five militants and a civilian.

Meanwhile, militants blew up a bridge with remote-controlled bomb in Takht Band area.

According to reports, security forces pounded militants’ positions in Shakar Darra and Koza Bandai areas in Matta and Kabbal tehsils. However, no loss of life was reported.

On the other hands, a mortar shell fired by militants hit a house of tribesman, Fazalullah, killing his two children and wife and severely injuring his another child. While five more persons were injured in different acts of violence.