ISLAMABAD September 21, 2006: To commemorate International Day of Peace, ActionAid Pakistan and Sustainable Development and Policy Institute organized a joint seminar on The Waziristan Peace Accord: One step forward or two steps back?'
Eminent speakers and experts on this theme from various backgrounds ,including journalists, academicians, parliamentarians, and activists participated in the seminar ,to analyze the conflict situation in Waziristan in the light of the ongoing 'War on Terror' and discuss its implications on the regional security and in particular Pakistan.
While speaking at the occasion Syed Waqar Ali Shah, Chairperson History Department QAU said that Waziristan has always been the hunting ground for imperialists in all decades and they have been experimenting different kinds of weapons and bombs in these areas to gain hold of the political and economic power. Huge funds have been spent on these military expeditions and the situation couldn reach to any conclusion till today. Civilian colonies have been targeted in Mohmand Agency and innocent citizens were killed in Waziristan.
Ismail Khan, Editor Dawn NWFP said that the North South Waziristan has the lowest socioeconomic indicators in the area, which is due to the unrest and continued military operations. There are two problems in the area, the presence of foreign militants and cross border movement.
While speaking on the peace accord he said that the major problem with the peace accord is that there is no time frame for this agreement and there is no solid ground that the agreement is inclusive of all the people of North Waziristan.
Ismail khan also said that the previous Shakai agreement of South Waziristan sighed in April, 2004 collapsed and government lost control of the area. The current peace deal "is an easy way out for the government, and it is difficult to imagine that the cross border movement will stop.
Maulana Merajuddin MNA South Waziristan was of the view that, the Tribal people are very considerate people and they strictly follow the tradition of negotiations and "Jirga" and the right way to solve the issue and build peace with the Tribals is through negotiations, as these people do not compromise on their values and traditions.
He further said that, it was due to the flawed polices of the government that the situation has worsened to this extent. The issues were not settled but were given a boost by implementing improper policies and imposing military operations against the tribal people.
He further said that we understand the political situations and the condition of our country but we request that the government to stop the killing of our innocent people at the hands of Pakistan army force.
Aimal Khan from SDPI pointed out that the ordinary people and tribal elders have always been bypassed by the military forces in all negotiation deals and processes. Any improvement in the lives of the people of Waziristan will only happen when sociopolitical development is promoted.
Dr Saba Gul Khattak, Women's rights activist pointed out the suffering of women and children in violent and conflict situations. Several people especially women and children have been displaced due to this conflict in Waziristan.
The so called Waziristan Peace Agreement between the Taliban in North Waziristan and the Pakistan Army/ government, signed in Miramshah during a grand jirga on 5th Sep 06, following a year long military operation in Fata areas, actually says that the government commits,
not to carry out any air or ground strikes in South and North Waziristan
not to arrest or pursue any 'peaceful foreigners' staying illegally in Waziristan
to return seized weapons and to lift the ban on carrying 'small arms'
to free prisoners
to pay monetary compensation for their losses
and to settle any disputes according to local customs
While on the other hand Taliban have agreed to
make sure that cross border movement does not happen
not to attack any installations and officials of the Pakistan army
The government's position is that President Pervez Musharraf has 'reaffirmed' his 'commitment' to fight terrorism by signing this peace agreement with the Taliban, 'it is time to use not only brawns but also brains. The so called peace accord is closely watched by the US (and the other international community) who worries about their hunt for Usama bin Ladin. Recently, again US helicopters have violated Pakistans airspace in North Waziristan increasing already existing tensions between the Taliban and the Pakistan government and resultantly putting the current peace deal at stake.
The critiques and policy analysts comment that the Pakistan military has practically surrendered in front of the Taliban and now implicitly admitted its failure to win control over the Taliban dominated areas, as Ismael Khan, Buero Chief of Dawn Peshawar said in his analysis: "Waziristan Peace Deal: Back to square one!"
