Sufi convinces TTP to lay down arms

MINGORA " The leaders of the Tanzim-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) held talks with the Swat chapter of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) somewhere at Matta Tehsil on Friday and convinced TTP top leadership to lay down their arms after the enforcement of the Nizam-e-Adl Regulations. Besides Maulana Sufi Mohammad the meeting was also attended by Maulana Safiullah, Amir Izat Khan, Maulana Iqbal Khan and dozen of his black turbaned activists, while from TTP side the participants included the Chief of TTP Swat chapter Maulana Fazlullah, spokesman of Talibn Haji Muslim Khan, Naib Amir of TTP Shah Dowran and dozen of their armed commanders. A 28-member negotiating committee held talks with the representatives of Maulana Fazlullah at an undisclosed location in Matta, the stronghold of the militants. Sources said that it was the third round of talks in which both the leaders of their banned organisations vowed for ever-lasting peace in the troubled Swat Valley. Fazullah on this occasion remarked that he had authorised Maulana Sufi to ink the peace agreement with the ANP-led NWFP Government. Maulana Fazlullah also urged upon the government to take practical steps for the enforcement of Islamic law in Malakand Division. Maulana Fazlulah also insisted on the withdrawal of all cases against Taliban besides releasing the arrested militants. He also demanded withdrawal of troops from the restive valley soon after restoring peace in Swat. He said that the government should also compensate the families of those who were affected during the military operation. Sufi also assured the government about disarming Maulana Fazlullah and his militia if the Nizam-e-Adl, incorporating his recommendations, was promulgated. The people as well as the government have attached high hopes to the outcome of the talks between Fazlullah and Sufi Muhammad amid growing international pressure on truce with the militants. Sufi would inform Fazlullah about the details of the regulations and ask him to lay down arms and maintain peace in the region. Meanwhile, Maulana Fazlullah and spokesman TTP Swat chapter Haji Muslim Khan phoned Issa Khan Khail and expressed their heartfelt condolences over the brutal killing of Musa Khankhel. On this occasion, Maulana Fazlullah pledged that soon after enforcement of Shariah they would put the perpetrators to trial.

ePaper - Nawaiwaqt