Cleric demands release of prisoners

As Pakistan’s militants lay down their arms in the troubled Swat Valley, they have demanded that the government keep up its side of the bargain and end fighting as well as release prisoners.

Maulana Sufi Muhammad, the head of the Tehreek Nifaz Shariat Muhammadi, the religious organisation which has signed a deal with the Pakistan government, demanded on Monday that militants arrested in the past year be released as per the agreement and that the ongoing military action be halted in the Swat Valley.

Pak army chief in US

Pakistani army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has arrived in Washington to discuss the proposed comprehensive review of the American policy for Pakistan and Afghanistan. This is Kayani’s first visit to the US after becoming army chief in November 2007.

Suspense over UN envoy

Suspense hung over the fate of American UN diplomat John Solecki who was kidnapped in Balochistan province with an unidentified caller claiming he had been killed and hours later the Blaoch group which had abducted him saying he was alive.

(With inputs from agencies)