Don't Do It Pakistan!

The Pakistani military is evidently experiencing some success with its operation against the Taliban in Swat and Malakand. The Army claims it has regained control of about half of Mingora, the largest city in Swat, and the Taliban leader in Swat has called for his forces to stop fighting the troops in the city. It is unclear whether the Taliban intend to withdraw, as their spokesman Muslim Khan claims, or whether they intend to attempt to blend in with the civilian populace in an attempt to continue operations undercover.

In addition Sufi Muhammed, the leader of the Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM or the Organization for the Implementation of Muhammad's Law), has stated that the Taliban in Swat are willing to disarm if the Pakistani government implements Sharia law in the region. This is identical to the agreement that was in place last month before it fell apart when the Taliban did not honor their end of the bargain. And now the Taliban wants to go back to the conditions that led to the current round of fighting and the massive refugee problem? Not bloody likely!

The Pakistani government would be well advised to ignore any Taliban pleas for a ceasefire agreement and press on with the military operation. The Taliban have yet to honor any agreement they have made and I see no indication of a desire or willingness to change that behavior. An agreement now would only allow the Taliban to escape the noose and fall back to rearm and regroup. They will then break yet another agreement and return to steal control of more and more of Pakistan at the point of a gun until they are stopped and brought under government control by the gun.