Pakistan seeking peace with Taliban

There has been a lull in a wave of suicide attacks that have killed more than 1,000 since the beginning of 2007 [Reuters]

Pakistan’s new government was expected to sign a peace deal with Taliban rebels this week, but talks broke down after Islamabad refused to pull its troops out of the tribal border region.

 

Since its inauguration five weeks ago, the new Pakistani government has been engaging with militant groups from its tribal border regions with Afghanistan, hoping to cement a deal to end hostilities but on Monday a top Taliban commander pulled out of the talks.

 

A ceasefire remains in place, however, brought about when tribal leader Baitullah Mehsud told his supporters to end attacks in the country last week.

 

But the troop withdrawal was one of the key elements in the deal, which the government hoped would help isolate al-Qaeda elements in the region.

 
Islamabad was also negotiating to deliver development projects to the area and help with job creation.

 
Inside Story asks if the truce can last or whether the government’s refusal to pull its troops out of the troubled tribal areas will only fuel the Taliban’s resistance.

 

And can a peace accord between the two even be finalised amidst the scepticism of the US, and the rejection of Pervez Musharaf, the Pakistani president?

Watch part one of this episode of Inside Story on YouTube

Watch part two of this episode of Inside Story on YouTube

This episode of Inside Story aired on Monday, April 28, 2008 at 17:30 GMT