NWFP minister says only ceasefire, no peace pact with pro-Taliban militants

Peshawar, May 13 : Refuting press reports that the NWFP government had inked a peace pact with the pro-Taliban militants in the Swat region, provincial Senior Minister Bashir Ahmad Bilour has said that it was merely a ceasefire agreement and the provincial government had not given in to the militants' demands.

He said that supporters of militant commander Mullah Fazlullah had presented eight demands, but the government had its reservations over two demands. But he did not elaborate on these demands.

Talks between a committee, formed by the NWFP government, and militants were in progress, the Daily Times quoted him as saying while speaking to the media here last evening.

The next round of talks with the militants would start soon, he added.

He further said that the militants had their reservations over educating their women, but the government persuaded them in this regard.

ANI