Peace in Pakistan precarious

Relations between the Pakistani government and the Taliban have become increasingly tense as representatives from the Taliban warn of the imminent collapse of the recent peace pact.

“This is not our army, this is not our government,” Taliban spokesperson Muslim Khan said Monday. “They’re worse enemies of Muslims than the Americans. They’re U.S. stooges, and now it’s clear that either we’ll be martyred or we’ll march forward.”

Pakistan and the Taliban forces within the country have had a shaky truce since February, when the Pakistani government allowed the enforcement of Muslim sharia law in the northwest Malakand region. In return, the Taliban agreed to end its insurgency.

Since then, Pakistan’s military has reported that Taliban fighters have pushed into the Buner district, 60 miles from the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, aided by foreign soldiers, anti-aircraft guns and other weapons.

The fighting comes just one day after Pakistan agreed to form an Islamic appeals court to finish fulfilling its pact with the Taliban.

Nepal faces government crisis

Just one year after bucking its monarchy and redefining itself as a federal republic, Nepal’s democratically elected government is facing the possibility of immediate destabilization.

On Monday, Nepali Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal — also known as Prachanda or “the fierce one” — resigned his position in a televised broadcast to the nation, stating that he was doing so “to put an end to this difficult situation and create a positive environment for salvaging democracy, nationalism and the peace process that are currently at risk.”

Prachanda, a former Maoist rebel, is resigning after his attempt to fire Gen. Rookmangud Katawal, chief of the Nepali army, was blocked by President Ram Baran Yadav in a move Prachanda has called “unconstitutional and undemocratic.”

Prachanda attempted to sack Katawal for his refusal to allow the 19,000 ex-Maoist guerrillas held in U.N.-sanctioned camps to be integrated into Nepal’s military. Their integration was recommended in a peace agreement brokered by the United Nations.

The Maoist government, which also holds 238 of the 601 seats in parliament, rose to power after a 10-year civil war ended in 2006 with the abdication of the king and 13,000 casualties. The spokesman for the Maoist party stated that they will hold mass protests until Yadav allows Katawal to be removed from his position.

Reach columnist Morgan Gard at news@dailyuw.com.