Zardari defends cease-fire in volatile Pakistan region

Source: CNN

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Pakistan's president has defended his government's recent ceasefire in the country's volatile Swat Valley in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, saying that many in the West have mischaracterized the deal.

The permanent ceasefire, which was brokered in late February between members of the Taliban and leaders of Swat Valley, has been criticized and called a major concession by the Pakistani government in an attempt to hold off Taliban attacks.

The central government has long exerted little control in the area, but it launched an intense military offensive in late July to flush out militants from areas of the North West Frontier Province

As retaliation for the military presence, the Taliban carried out a series of deadly attacks, beheadings and destruction of girls' schools. They also continued to gain ground, setting up checkpoints throughout the area.



Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/03/04/zardari.pakistan.swat.deal/

...it was a dreadful, cowardly move by a government in name only...Pakistan is about to descend into madness and chaos...

What happened to Pakistani pride?

What happened to Pakistan not ceding even an inch to enemies? You know what, Taliban is your enemy. They might belong to your religion, speak the same language but their ideas of Pakistani future is so much more different than modern day Pakistan. If you had any doubt, view Exhibit A - Afghanistan under Taliban between 1996 & 2001. Do you want your country to become like that?

It is disgusting that the Pakistani government can cede control of a region less than 200 kms from the nation's capital. What will they do if Taliban wants to implement Sharia laws across entire Pakistan?