Pakistan says peace agreement inked with tribesmen not Taliban
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Sept 9, IRNA
Pakistan-Peace Deal
Pakistan said on Friday that it has inked a peace deal in the country's volatile North Waziristan tribal region with tribesmen and not with Taliban.
Governor of North West Frontier Province Lt. Gen. Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai said that the government has signed agreement with local Utmanzai tribe included tribal elders known as Maliks and religious clerics.
"The agreement has nothing to do with the Afghan Taliban," the governor told a news conference.
The agreement was kept secret for some time because some elements were out to sabotage it, he maintained.
A 10-member committee has been constituted to monitor implementation of the agreement, he said, and added that action would be taken if it was violated.
Referring to the ouster of foreign elements from North Waziristan Agency, the governor said, much before reaching the agreement, people of the agency had given a message to such elements to leave the area.
However, their stand would further be consolidated after the agreement.
He said foreigners would leave the area but if there is any difficulty in the exit of some of such elements, they would stay there with peace and without making any disturbance.
They would also not cross over to Afghanistan, he clarified.
When asked about the people wanted by the government for their unsocial activities, the governor said, after the agreement they would abandon their past activities and abide by the law of the land.
He, however, declared that those wanted internationally would not be allowed to stay here rather they would be arrested, if found in these areas.
He told a questioner that Afghan President Hamid Karzai has supported the agreement because it would not only benefit Pakistan but also Afghanistan.
He added that if proved fruitful, it could be extended to Afghanistan also.
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