Thursday, April 16, 2009

Pak-Taliban Peace Deal – ‘Horrible Impacts’ on Afghanistan

Afghan government terms the peace pact with the Pakistani Taliban reinforcement to the Taliban-led insurgency in Afghanistan

Afghan President’s Spokesman, Humayun Hamidzada, told a news conference in Kabul that the peace deal with the Pakistani Taliban harms the security of the region.

President Asef Ali Zardari of Pakistan endorsed a peace deal with the tribal-based Taliban to stop clashes with the Pakistani security forces, but to enforce Sharia law in the militant-controlled outskirt of the territory.

Pakistani president signed the peace bill approved by the Parliament, endorsing Sharia law in Swat Valley in Northwestern Pakistan.

President Zardari asked the state governor to implement the rule.

Based on that agreement, the Pakistani Taliban led by Baitullah Mehsud would stop fighting Pakistani forces.

Afghan officials said they will share the concerns with the Pakistani government to make sure it will not negatively affect situation in Afghanistan.

It [the peace deal] is the concern of Afghanistan and the international community,” said Humayun Hamidzada.

Some US officials said peace deal will strengthen the safe havens in the border area where it threatens the security of the region.

US President Barack Obama while unveiling his strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan termed the border region ‘the most dangerous place in the world.”

White House reacted to the deal on Tuesday saying the agreement is against the human rights and democracy.

An Afghan MP, Sayed Daud Hashimi, said the peace pact has political reasons behind it, but it will also harm Pakistan itself.

The treaty was made two months ago between the Taliban and the state government of NWFP.

Swat is the former ski resort in the crown of Pakistani tourism, before Taliban launched a campaign to enforce Taliban-style Sharia.

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