THE NWFP government has been trying to persuade the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan-Swat to merely “lay down their arms” rather than “surrender” them, a senator said on Monday.

Haji Adeel, a senior vice-president of the Awami National Party, said in an interview to DAWN NEWS TV that it was unthinkable for a Pakhtun to surrender his arms. For a Pakhtun – whether he is winning the war or losing it, he will never surrender his arms. Pakhtuns will lay down their arms but not surrender them.”

Asked what pressure the government was putting on the TTP to lay down its arms or to stop the abductions, Senator Adeel said “let peace come first, let Qazi courts act”.

His comments came a day after TNSM chief Maulana Sufi Muhammad gave a March 15 deadline for the imposition of Sharia in Malakand division.

The deadline has raised questions as to who is calling the shots in the area.

The senator said Maulana Sufi Mohammad was under pressure from both sides _ the government and the Taliban _ to close a deal.

“He wants to ensure complete peace in Malakand division in exchange for the implementation of the Nizam-i-Adl act.”

The senator claimed the recent abductions of a DCO and six Frontier Constabulary men had been carried out by “breakaway factions, criminal groups or foreigners, and not those the provincial government is negotiating with”. The abducted men were released on Monday.
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