Talibanism looms large over Pakistan

Pakistani Islamists’ convoy led by cleric Soofi Mohammad, arrives for talks with Taliban leader Maulana Fazlullah at Mingora in the troubled Swat valley on February 17, 2009. Pakistan has agreed to impose Islamic law in the region where government troops have failed to put down a bloody insurgency. Fazlullah has waged a nearly two-year campaign to enforce Taliban-style sharia law in Swat, formerly a ski resort popular with Westerners.

Pakistani Islamists and residents listen to a speech by unseen cleric Soofi Mohammad, after arriving at Mingora in the troubled Swat valley on February 17, 2009, for talks with Taliban leader Maulana Fazlullahon. Pakistan has agreed to impose Islamic law in the region where government troops have failed to put down a bloody insurgency. Fazlullah has waged a nearly two-year campaign to enforce Taliban-style sharia law in Swat, formerly a ski resort popular with Westerners

The delegation members of a pro-Taliban leader Soofi Mohammad, leave after an agreement with government officials in Peshawar on February 16, 2009. The Pakistan government and Islamic hardliners signed an agreement to enforce sharia law in the northwestern Swat valley. The announcement followed talks between the government of troubled North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and a local militant leader, Soofi Mohammad, on formalising the implementation of strict Islamic law.

A local resident distributes sweets among people after the government decision to implement Islamic Law, Monday, Feb. 16, 2009 in Mingora, the main town of Pakistani Swat Valley. The government agreed to impose Islamic law and suspend a military offensive across a large swath of northwest Pakistan on Monday in concessions aimed at pacifying a spreading Taliban insurgency there

Representatives of Taliban and Islamic militants listen to speakers during their peace meeting with Pakistani government officials in Peshawar, Pakistan on Monday, Feb. 16, 2009. At the meeting, regional government officials say Pakistan will impose Islamic law in parts of its northwest where Taliban fighters increasingly hold sway

Participants attend a peace meeting between Pakistani officials and representatives of Islamic militants and the Talibans in Peshawar, Pakistan on Monday, Feb. 16, 2009. At the meeting, regional government officials say Pakistan will impose Islamic law in parts of its northwest where Taliban fighters increasingly hold sway

Pakistani Christians carry quilts to be donated to refugees from the troubled Swat Valley in Islamabad on February 17, 2009. Pakistan's military vowed to hold fire and respect a controversial agreement signed between the government and militants to enforce Islamic law in the violence-torn Swat valley

Dhoni, Sehwag on 'little' NZ grounds scary, says Vettori

Christchurch: New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori says the prospect of facing Indian big-hitters like Virender Sehwag and Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the upcoming home series is "pretty scary" as it will be tough to contain them on the small grounds in Christchurch.
The last time India toured New Zealand six years ago they went down 0-2 in Tests and lost the one-day series 2-5. But India's current form in all three forms of the game has Vettori worried and he said stopping Dhoni and Sehwag could turn into a nightmare for his bowlers.

"You look at the individual players and some of the world's best are coming," Vettori said.

"Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virender Sehwag batting on the little grounds in New Zealand is pretty scary," the leg-spinner said.

However, Vettori is seeking comfort from India's past record i Christchurch.

"You balance that with them being notorious for not touring New Zealand all that well," he said.

Why Taliban is happy with the Pakistan government

The Pakistani Taliban on Tuesday welcomed an agreement between religious hardliners and authorities to enforce Islamic law in the troubled Swat and nearby areas as the government said the pact would be approved by the President only after peace is restored to the area.
Endorsing the pact signed by the North West Frontier Province government and Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariah Mohammadi chief Sufi Mohammad, Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said: "If Sufi Mohammad has signed the draft of the proposed Shariah package, then it is acceptable to us as he is an expert on Shariah."
TNSM spokesman Izzat Khan said he was satisfied with the outcome of the talks between the government and his group regarding the enforcement of Islamic law in Malakand division, a part of NWFP that includes Swat valley.
A group of clerics in Swat also asked the government to stop military operations in Swat. Meanwhile, Information Minister Sherry Rehman said President Asif Ali Zardari will approve the implementation of Islamic laws in Swat and Malakand after peace is restored in the region.
The deal should not be seen as a "concession" to the militants, she said. "It is in no way a sign of the state's weakness. The public will of the population of the Swat region is at the centre of all efforts and it should be taken into account while debating the merits of this agreement," Rehman said.
The federal government will monitor the situation in Swat and the security and well-being of the people of the region will be the top priority, she said.
"The proposed Nizam-e-Adal Regulation (Islamic laws) will bring speedy justice at the doorstep of the common man.This regulation will also meet the demand of the people for the establishment of an appellate forum in their own area," Rehman said.

I am not good enough for politics, says Sourav Ganguly

New Delhi: Amidst reports that he is being wooed by political parties to contest in the upcoming Lok Sabha poll, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday said that he was not good enough for politics.
"It is not true. I am not good enough for politics," Ganguly told reporters in Kolkata when asked if he was planning to join politics. Asked about reports that he was going to join the Samajwadi party, Ganguly quipped "I have my own state."
The speculations about Ganguly joining politics gained momentum after his wife Don said earlier, "The West Bengal government definitely wants that he (Sourav) should step into politics and when I was in Lucknow for a programme, some minister who was there said that Sourav should come and fight from Uttar Pradesh."
"Such offers keep coming but Sourav has not yet decided," she had added.Asked which party wanted to offer a ticket to Sourav, Dona said "I don't remember, I think Samajwadi Party although I may be wrong. Since I am not into politics I don't exactly know the names of people in politics. But I think it was SP."
When queried on the matter, SP leader Amar Singh told reporters "Nobody from our side has officially gone to Dona Ganguly. But if Ganguly wants to join SP, we will consider ourselves lucky." Sourav has already been invited by the ruling coalition in his home state to fight the coming elections on a Communist Party of India - Marxist ticket.