Monday, May 5, 2008, Rabi-ul-Sani 28, 1429    

S Waziristan peace talks in final phase

Observer Report

Islamabad—The federal government has started efforts to continue talks with Taliban despite the Taliban’s announcement talks had failed.

“Peace talks are in the final phase in South Waziristan and the government wants to lead the dialogue to its logical end without showing any weakness,” official sources said.

NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani in a high level meeting of the ministry of interior, informed the PM Advisor for Interior Rehman Malik about the progress in talks with local Taliban and tribal elders.

The peace deal with tribal elders as well as militants in Swat and North Waziristan tribal region is being successfully implemented. The talks for deal in South Waziristan have been in final stage, the sources said.

The peace accord will help to stop militancy and terrorism in the tribal region, and to implement the development projects. The government wants to continue the dialogue for peace accord, without showing any weakness, to finalize the deal on equal terms, sources added.