Nato general lauds Pakistan peace deal

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s peace deal with Islamic militants in a volatile tribal area could set an example for Nato forces, the alliance’s commander in Afghanistan said in an interview broadcast yesterday.

General David Richards made the comments to private GEO television late Monday ahead of talks with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on the battle against Taliban insurgents. “I think played rightly, with luck and good judgement I believe is there, this could set an example how we should deal with these problems,” Richards told GEO when asked about the deal in the North Waziristan tribal region.Pakistan signed the controversial peace deal with tribal leaders and “mujahideen” in North Waziristan on September 5.Mujahideen, or holy warriors, is a term used by pro-Taliban militants in the area to describe themselves.Under the accord, Pakistan released dozens of detained tribesmen and agreed to dismantle checkpoints.The insurgents pledged to end targeted killings.Nampa-AFP”I think played rightly, with luck and good judgement I believe is there, this could set an example how we should deal with these problems,” Richards told GEO when asked about the deal in the North Waziristan tribal region.Pakistan signed the controversial peace deal with tribal leaders and “mujahideen” in North Waziristan on September 5.Mujahideen, or holy warriors, is a term used by pro-Taliban militants in the area to describe themselves.Under the accord, Pakistan released dozens of detained tribesmen and agreed to dismantle checkpoints.The insurgents pledged to end targeted killings.Nampa-AFP