By Prensa Latina
Islamabad : A tribal assembly of elders (jirga) will back the Pakistani government at talks on a ceasefire with religious rebels in the northwestern region of Waziristan, on the border with Afghanistan, an official source said on Thursday.
In statements to the influential newspaper Dawn, Interior Minister Hamid Nawaz said the administration of President Pervez Musharraf would take measures soon to reach a lasting peace in mountainous tribal areas.
Nawaz’s statements came after Baitulah, leader of the Mehsud tribe, declared a ceasefire on Wednesday in South Waziristan, after the Army reduced operations in the region.
The government has accused Baitulah of masterminding the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Butto, leader of the People’s Party of Pakistan, on December 27, 2007.
Previously, authorities reached peace agreements with tribes in Waziristan, after the assault of the Red Mosque in Islamabad on July 12, 2007, when more than 100 people were killed.
“We will have to involve tribal elders, influential people and government representatives in the process of forming the jirga,” Nawaz said.
“There are so many things involved. If we look at the past, several peace agreements were signed with militants but they violated all of them,” he added.
“However, there is no doubt that negotiation is the only way to convince these people to give up arms,” the Pakistani interior minister pointed out.