Nawaz dissatisfied with Swat deal

[Naveed Yaseen]

* PML-N chief says Swat Taliban trying to export their version of sharia to other areas

LAHORE: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said on Monday he was not comfortable with the government’s peace deal with the Swat Taliban.

He worried that the Taliban there were trying to export their version of sharia to other parts of Pakistan.

In an interview with USA TODAY, he said: “They are now threatening to get out of Swat and take other areas. We’ve got to avoid that situation.”

Nawaz said he opposed “counterproductive” attacks by US drones on Taliban hideouts in the Tribal Areas and supported dialogue with relatively moderate Islamist groups.

He also downplayed fears that the country could be taken over by Taliban, who have gained strength in both Pakistan and Afghanistan. He said the insurgency in Swat as well as border areas could be defused in two years if there was sufficient economic development.

Nawaz said any deal with the Taliban should include commitments that “democracy will not be allowed to deteriorate and the writ of the government will be respected.” He added that girls’ schools and universities must be allowed to stay open.

Nwaz said he had had a good relationship with President Clinton — and is a fan of President Obama. “I have never met Obama, but I have a good impression of him,” he said. “I think he’s a good guy.”

Talking about the domestic political situation, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief said he wanted President Asif Ali Zardari to give up some of his presidential powers but added that the dispute should be resolved in parliament, not on the streets.

“We’re not going to put our country in jeopardy (because of desire for) power. Grabbing power at any cost is not our motto,” he said.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg1_10