Clashes add to strain on Pakistani peace pact

CLASHES in a north-western region of Pakistan covered by an increasingly fragile peace pact killed seven militants and one soldier yesterday, authorities said, adding to strains on an agreement seen in the West as a capitulation to extremists.

Washington has said it wants Pakistan to fight the militants, not talk to them, and is unlikely to mourn the three-month-old deal in the Malakand region if it breaks down. Still, many in the staunchly Islamic region have welcomed the pause in hostilities even though it did not lead to the eviction of the Taliban.

The deal will feature in talks between Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and President Barack Obama later this week in Washington where Zardari is also expected to ask for more money to help his country’s battered economy and under-equipped security forces.