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Pakistan announces ceasefire with militants in Swat valley

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, Feb 22, IRNA -- Pakistani government Sunday announced ceasefire with the militants in the restive northwest valley Swat valley.

On Monday, Taliban had announced a ten-day ceasefire after the government agreed to the introduction of Islamic laws in parts of the northwest, including Swat.

A cleric Sufi Muhammad has been negotiating with the Taliban in the valley over the past four days to convince Taliban to surrender arms.

"I announce complete ceasefire from our side," Syed Muhammad Javed, a top government official in Swat told a news conference.

Javed, commissioner of Malakand Division, of which Swat is the major city, said that the government will take more steps to restore peace in the region.

"You will hear more good news in the days to come," Javed said.

"There is no ceasefire from both sides," he said. The government will honor the promise of Islamic system, he added.

He issued orders for opening of all schools from Monday, which had been closed for months after Taliban started blowing up schools, particularly girls' schools.

Officials say that over 100 schools have been blown up or torched by Taliban in the 18-month fighting.

Javed said that classes will be started in tents for those students whose schools have been blown up. "We will provide full security to the students," he said but avoided to reply when asked that Taliban have banned girls' education in Swat.

The commissioner asked hundreds of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to return to Swat.

Officials say that around five hundred thousands people have fled Swat as the result of fighting.

"I and other top officials will receive the IDPs on return," he said and announced to compensate all those whose houses have destroyed in the fighting.

Asked how the Taliban will be disarmed, the commissioner said that talks are underway with Taliban on the issue.

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End News / IRNA / News Code 365505