From midnight tonight, Pakistan has suspended all military operations against local Talibans militants in tribal areas of NWFP province bordering Afghanistan in respect of month of holy Islamic month of Ramadan.The decision of suspension of military operation will be enforced from August 31 till the second day of Eid ul Fitr.
Advisor to the prime minister and close aide of Asif Zardari, Rehman Malik announced this dramatic step unilaterally during a seminar hosted by Ministry of Interior.Last week Pakistan had been rejected the offer of truce by the Taliban during the holy month of Ramadan.Malik said that military operations will be halted August 31 at midnight until the second day Eid. He claimed that operations are not being ended in tribal areas and Swat -- they are only being temporarily suspended."It shouldn’t be considered our weakness; if a bullet will be fired or any solider or civilian attacked we will also retaliate forcefully,” he emphasised. Rehman Malik also pointed out that coalition partners of the ruling alliance were also demanding an armistice during Ramadan. But it is not a ceasefire or end of the war.He stressed that people from the tribal areas who were stranded by the war should go back to their homes and celebrate Ramadan "with peace and tranquility."
"There is total peace now; please go back homes to observe fasting and celebrate Eid, government will protect and support you, Pakistan army and all other law enforcers are firmly standing behind you,” he reiterated. He claimed that 23,000 people had already gone back to their homes.Malik also claimed that the situation has changed for the better in tribal areas. Now people themselves step forward to defend their areas. They have established their own private armed groups to face the Taliban. They showed the resolve that they would root out Taliban from their areas.He said that there is no question of dialogue with the Taliban or other militants. He said the government has no contact with them and "nor we will do that in future; they have to surrender first." There is no other option on the table, he said."We are minutely watching the situation on the ground through satellite imagery, which is now improving,” he said the use of the latest technology against militants.Half a million people from tribal areas have been forced to leave their native areas due to heavy shelling and gunship helicopter attacks on militant hideouts.
2008-08-31 16:01 (KST)
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