ISLAMABAD: Despite signing a controversial peace deal with militants to restore peace in war-torn Swat District, the government and the militants hold apprehensions about its failure and warned each other of dire consequences if the deal fails.
   
The statements being issued from both the sides are clearly indicating the mistrust between them and the ‘fragile’ peace deal can be wrapped up even because of a petty incident.
    
Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj-Gen Athar Abbas said military option was still open for the government if Swat peace deal fails. ‘If it is does not restore peace in the area, the government will have to go for other options including military operation,’ the ISPR chief told a news agency. 
  
Establishing peace in Swat is the basic requirement, thus all possible steps will be taken to ensure peace in the area, he said, adding that troops will continue to stay in the valley while the government explores its options.
  
Maj. Gen. Abbas underlining the use of modern equipment said it will not only enhance the efficiency of the armed forces but also help reduce collateral damage.
   
On the other hand Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) Pakistan also expressed fear about the failure of the peace deal.
   
The TTP spokesman told media that the newly appointed District Coordination Officer (DCO) Swat Khushhal Khan was kidnapped intentionally because TTP wanted to give a lesson to the government that if the deal is violated then such incidents will continue to take place.   
   
The spokesman said: ‘The government arrested two of our men after arriving at an agreement with us while one of our members was killed in District Dir. So, in reaction to this we had to take this step (of abducting the DCO Swat).’


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