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| India-Pakistan |
| Taliban won't be allowed to disrupt peace in Swat again: Hoti |
| 2009-07-14 |
| The Taliban will not be allowed to disrupt the peace in the scenic Swat valley again, said NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti on Monday. According to a statement issued here, the chief minister said the war against those involved in "destruction and blood shed" would continue until the last of the terrorists had been eliminated. He said that administrative changes in Malakand division had been introduced for the implementation of sharia and the security of the population. Addressing a gathering at Government College Palosa (Charsadda), Hoti said the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation was approved "purely on the demand and aspirations of the people of Malakand ... not under any sort of pressure". He said the regulation would now be given a "practical shape". The chief minister said, "We wanted to resolve the problems of Swat through dialogue right from day one ... we tried it till the last moment, but unfortunately, the Taliban chose the path of destruction instead of negotiations." He assured those who went home to Swat on Monday that their return "doesn't mean that government support and assistance will stop ... the government will help you start life anew". He praised the role of the president, the prime minister, the federal government, international agencies, NGOs, provincial governments, political parties and particularly the people of Swabi, Mardan, Charsadda, Nowshera and Peshawar for facilitating relief activities. "The provincial government was only able to fulfil its responsibility because of their spirit. Their role is an exact example of Pukhtunwali," said Hoti. "The terrorists are the enemy of Islam, humanity, Pukhtuns, peace and stability and our future. We will fight them along the army and triumph." Hoti said that Swat was "an injured part of our body, and no stone will be left unturned to put it right". He said the reconstruction process would start soon in the affected areas and everybody would be compensated for damages. He assured the armed forces that they had the backing of the political leadership, the federal and provincial governments, the civil society and the public. He said that he had already visited Swat and examined the security conditions there. He said that with IDPs now returning home, he would again visit the valley to "meet our brothers". He said those who had suffered in Swat and Malakand would never be isolated, and "ration will be provided to them for the next six months". The chief minister said the Taliban had been defeated and they were now hiding in far-flung areas. He appealed to the general public to identify the Taliban wherever they were found. He said that other arrangements would also be made for the security of the people of Malakand. "This includes the establishment of a 7,000 community police force and an increase in police stations." |
| Posted by:Fred |