My apologies to those who do not read the Urdu script. In summary, the attached link to the Jang newspaper's Urdu edition is suggesting that the law and order situation is improving in Swat. The statement is from Afrasiab Khattak, President of the NWFP Chapter of the Awami National Party (ANP).
Afrasiab is also the former Secretary General of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and commands respect for his principled stand over the years. I met him last in 1991 at his home in Peshawar after he launched the now defunct Quami Inqualabi Party. He returned to Peshawar in early nineties from a self-imposed exile. Afrasiab had opposed the war against the soviet-backed Afghan government.
While many are concerned about the implementation of a shariah inspired law in Swat, it appears that the left leaning forces in NWFP are not opposed to the interim arrangement. My reading is that the government will restore law and order and then over time disarm militants before returning the region to the full administrative control of the district governments.
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