NWFP allowed to strike deal with Taliban

http://www.dawn.com/2008/06/20/top4.htm

PESHAWAR: Islamabad has authorised the NWFP government to enter into deals with the Taliban for ensuring peace in the province and called for respecting such agreements.

“The federal government will support the provincial government in its efforts to eliminate extremism and improve security in troubled areas,” Rehman Malik, the prime minister’s adviser on interior, told a high-level meeting of officials of the federal and provincial governments at the chief minister’s secretariat on Thursday.

Awami National Party president Asfandyar Wali Khan, Chief Minister Ameer Khan Hoti, NWFP government’s peace envoy Afrasiab Khattak, senior provincial minister Rahimdad Khan, federal interior secretary Kamal Shah, NWFP chief secretary Sahibzada Riaz Noor, heads of federal and provincial law-enforcement agencies, all political agents and DCOs attended the meeting.

The meeting, which lasted nine hours, discussed the law and order situation in the province and the tribal areas.

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