Pakistan, Militants Make Peace

"Both sides have agreed in principle to the 15 points, which have been thoroughly discussed and approved by the country’s top political leadership and enjoy the backing of the army establishment," a well-placed source at Prime Minister House told IslamOnline.net on Wednesday, April 23.

The source said final touches are being added to the draft agreement.

Asfandyar Wali Khan, the chief of the left-wing Awami National Party (ANP), the ruling party in the North Western Frontier Province (NWFP) has done the major draft work.

The draft was presented for a final go-ahead at a meeting attended by Asif Zardari, leader of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), former premier Nawaz Sharif, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), the main coalition partner, in Islamabad on April 15.

The meeting was also attended by former opposition leader Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman.

"Asfandyar briefed all the coalition partners on the subject and obtained their consent," sources said, adding that some changes were suggested by Fazl-ur-Rehman.

The Prime Minister House source did not give a specific signing date.

"It can be signed within the next few days or it may take a few weeks. It involves tough bargaining. It is by no means simple or easy."

The agreement will be signed between the political administrator of South Waziristan, as representative of the government, and tribal elders as representatives of top militant Baitullah Mehsud.

Mehsud, Pakistan's most wanted man, is the head of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, an umbrella organization of all pro-Taliban militant groups operating in South and North Waziristan.

Carefully Done

A senior ANP leader says the proposed draft is a result of long-drawn deliberations and backdrop contacts with the tribesmen.

"It has not been prepared in haste," he told IOL, wishing not to be named.

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