Taliban agrees to 'permanent ceasefire' in Swat

Islamabad: Pakistani authorities and the local Taliban have agreed to a permanent ceasefire in the troubled Swat valley following peace talks between militants and religious hardliners, a top official said on Saturday.
Syed Mohammad Javed, the commissioner for Malakand division which includes Swat, told reporters that the security forces and the Taliban would observe the truce. He made the announcement after meeting Maulana Sufi Mohammad, a hardline cleric who is negotiating with the militants.
Asked how the Taliban would be disarmed, Javed said talks are underway with the militants on this issue.
The Taliban had unilaterally announced a 10-day ceasefire on Sunday to facilitate peace talks which began after Sufi Mohammad's group, Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariah Mohammadi, reached an agreement with authorities to enforce Islamic laws in Swat and Malakand.Javed said the government will take more steps to restore peace in the region.
"You will hear more good news in the days to come," he said. He appealed to people who had left Swat valley due to fighting to return to their homes, saying the administration had provided funds to rehabilitate them.