The knife at Pakistan's throat

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At this meeting, the authorities, still smarting from the rout of Islamabad's forces by the tribals in both Waziristans when the government tried to impose its will in the region, declared that under the status quo the government could neither withdraw its military nor prevent US-led forces from entering the tribal areas.

The JUI-F itself is desperately looking for ways to restrict the Pakistani Taliban's ambitions. The latter movement is clearly intent on moving into the cities, especially those politically influenced by the JUI-F, and becoming a major power player in the country as a whole.

The JUI-F, therefore, is forging a strategy with the Pakistani Taliban under which the Taliban will retain de facto control of the Waziristans while the political-cum-religious leadership, including the JUI-F, will appear to be running the show - and, at the same time, be shielding the Taliban from US-led forces. The Miranshah gathering was a manifestation of this new strategy.

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The gathering presaged the future setup in the Waziristans. The mujahideen will remain in the background and the non-militant face of leadership, in the form of local tribal elders, the JUI-F and religious leaders, will be visible. This will enable the Pakistani authorities to justify their proposal to fence the Durand Line rather than allow US-led forces a free hand in the tribal areas.

Asia Times

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1. Pakistani government, local Taliban sign peace agreement in tribal region

ISLAMABAD, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani government and local Taliban Saturday signed a peace agreement in the tribal region of North Waziristan.

The agreement was prompted by "Grand Jirga" or council of elders established for the upkeep of peace in Waziristan, according to local private Geo TV report.

The jirga was formed last month to mediate between the militants and the government to end their conflict, which has claimed lives from both sides.

The militants had announced a ceasefire in June to give an opportunity to tribal elders to find a peaceful settlement of the crisis.

China View

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2. Pakistan signs pact with pro-Taliban militants

Pro-Taliban militants and the Pakistani Government reached a peace deal on Tuesday under which the militants agreed to stop attacks in both Pakistan and across the border in Afghanistan, negotiators say.

Hundreds of Pakistani troops and militants have been killed in the Waziristan region as the Government has attempted to push its authority into semi-autonomous tribal lands on the Afghan border.

"The agreement will pave the way for permanent peace in the region," Malik Shahzada, a member of a tribal council that has been overseeing the negotiations with the rebels, said.

The agreement was signed on a dusty football ground at a college in Miranshah, the main town of the North Waziristan region.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200609/s1733899.htm