April 23, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-us-Sani 16, 1429

PESHAWAR, April 22: NWFP Senior Minister Rahimdad Khan has said that government would free all the prisoners arrested during military operation in the troubled Malakand region, including Swat district.

Speaking at a press conference here on Tuesday, Mr Khan lauded the agreement reached between the provincial government and proscribed Tahreek Nifaz Shariat-i-Muhammadi (TNSM), saying that the deal would improve situation in Swat and other parts of the province.

He said that under the agreement government would release all innocent people who had been arrested during the army operation in the region. He said that Maulana Sufi Mohammad had categorically condemned violence in the name of Islam and attack on the government installations and officials.

Sources said that security forces had arrested about 1,310 persons since military launched operation against militants in Swat on November 24, last year. Among these detained people security agencies had interrogated 1,289 people. So far the authorities have released 1,087 persons while only 58 have been declared suspicious and 21 people are still under interrogation.

The senior minister said that situation would improve in Swat and other areas in the aftermath of the peace agreement. He said that many innocent people had been declared suspects.

Terming agreement with Sufi Mohammad as first step towards the establishment of lasting peace in the region he said that the government would soon constitute a grand jirga to initiate the process of mediation with the militants in Swat valley.

“Government will hold dialogue with all those elements, who renounce violence and lay down weapons,” said Mr Khan and also hinted at starting negotiations with Maulana Fazlullah, the son-in-law of Sufi Mohammad.

He said that TNSM was no more a proscribed organisation as Sufi Mohammad renounced militancy and announced to respect the government’s writ.

He said that the coalition government did not believe in use of force and would restore peace through dialogue. When asked about the timeframe for implementation of Shariah in Malakand region, he said that Islamic system could be promulgated across the country by restoring the 1973 Constitution in its original shape.

Replying to another question the minister said that the government would send the troops back to the barracks from Swat district after restoration of peace in the area.