July 15, 2008	Tuesday	Rajab 11, 1429

MINGORA, July 14: The Taliban of Swat announced on Monday suspension of talks with the government till complete implementation of the peace agreement signed with the NWFP government on May 21.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Swat spokesman Muslim Khan told journalists at the Mingora Press Club on phone that the peace deal was still intact, but Taliban would not continue talks with the provincial government. He said that despite holding several rounds of talks, the government had not yet implemented all provisions of the agreement.

The militants have been demanding release of their associates, withdrawal of troops and payment of compensation to people affected during the operation.

The spokesman said it was useless to continue talks with the government. However, he said the peace deal was intact and it would be honoured. “We have only suspended talks to give the provincial government time to address our reservations and completely implement the peace deal,” he added.

NWFP minister for environment and member of the peace committee Wajid Ali Khan told journalists that the agreement was intact, adding that the provincial government would act in accordance with the deal and soon Taliban prisoners would be freed.

He said the government was serious about implementing all provisions of the agreement, including enforcement of Sharia in Swat. He said the Tehrik-i-Taliban should contact the provincial government if it had any reservations.

NWFP senior minister Bashir Bilour told reporters in Peshawar that so far 25 Taliban prisoners had been released under the agreement. He said the decision about the release of other prisoners would be taken on a case to case basis. “We are sincere in implementing the deal,” he added.