MIRAMSHAH, Feb 11: The Taliban Shura has condemned attacks on security forces in North Waziristan Agency and said they would abide by the peace agreement with the government.

A statement issued by the five-member Shura-i-Muraqiba (Observation Council) in Miramshah on Friday warned that some elements were trying to destabilise North Waziristan by firing rockets and exploding remote-controlled bombs (improvised explosive devices).

"Everybody knows that through a secret and well-organised conspiracy, the peaceful law and order situation is being aggravated in North Waziristan," says a one-page statement in Urdu issued by the shura on its letter pad. Therefore, Mujahideen and Ansar (locals and outsiders) are directed to respect the peace agreement with the government, it said.

Taliban factions and elders had signed a peace deal with the government in Feb 2007. Under the accord, people in North Waziristan would fulfil all conditions of the agreement, including protection of security forces and government installations.

The Observation Council, which comprised representatives of militant outfits, including the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, was set up last year after receiving complaints from locals.

The council was mandated to check activities of masked men who were reportedly involved in kidnapping and torturing local people on spying charges. Sources said the shura issued the statement in the wake of a surge in attacks on security forces.

"This is our joint responsibility to fulfil the agreement and no individual will be allowed to violate it," the council warned, adding: "The shura reserved the right to take action if any person is found violating the deal. The involved person will be responsible for consequences."

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s unease
Updated 24 May, 2024

IMF’s unease

It is clear that the next phase of economic stabilisation will be very tough for most of the population.
Belated recognition
24 May, 2024

Belated recognition

WITH Wednesday’s announcement by three European states that they intend to recognise Palestine as a state later...
App for GBV survivors
24 May, 2024

App for GBV survivors

GENDER-based violence is caught between two worlds: one sees it as a crime, the other as ‘convention’. The ...
Energy inflation
Updated 23 May, 2024

Energy inflation

The widening gap between the haves and have-nots is already tearing apart Pakistan’s social fabric.
Culture of violence
23 May, 2024

Culture of violence

WHILE political differences are part of the democratic process, there can be no justification for such disagreements...
Flooding threats
23 May, 2024

Flooding threats

WITH temperatures in GB and KP forecasted to be four to six degrees higher than normal this week, the threat of...