A "permanent ceasefire" in the troubled northwestern Swat valley, is being looked upon with suspicion by West. It would not be out of place to mention that peace can only prevail through dialogue why world is bent upon creat more trouble for the people who have suffered the most. Around 1,200 people have been killed and between 250,000 and 500,000 have fled Swat in 18 months of fierce fighting over the beautiful valley that was once a centre of tourism. Three thousand militants have been battling up to 12,000 troops.
The new US administration has launched a review of its policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan and British officials are hoping the World Bank will set up a development fund to channel aid money to the violent border regions of Pakistan. The fund would receive hundreds of millions of pounds which the government hopes will be pledged this year to fund roads, clinics and schools.
The plan, which officials stress would have to be initiated by the Pakistani government, is part of a wide-ranging strategy aimed at boosting development in the tribal areas to fight Islamic militancy and counteract the effects of missiles fired by unarmed drones operated by the CIA.
Of the massive American aid to Pakistan since 2001, little has been used for development. In recent months, the country has been forced to ask for emergency funding from the International Monetary Fund to avoid a default. The US Congress is considering a $1.6bn development aid request from the Obama adminstration. Officials at the World Bank said they had yet to hear of the plan for a fund.
One Whitehall source said the idea was to stop development money for the tribal regions arriving "in penny packets" and to make sure it reached its target.
The new US administration has launched a review of its policy in Afghanistan and Pakistan and British officials are hoping the World Bank will set up a development fund to channel aid money to the violent border regions of Pakistan. The fund would receive hundreds of millions of pounds which the government hopes will be pledged this year to fund roads, clinics and schools.
The plan, which officials stress would have to be initiated by the Pakistani government, is part of a wide-ranging strategy aimed at boosting development in the tribal areas to fight Islamic militancy and counteract the effects of missiles fired by unarmed drones operated by the CIA.
Of the massive American aid to Pakistan since 2001, little has been used for development. In recent months, the country has been forced to ask for emergency funding from the International Monetary Fund to avoid a default. The US Congress is considering a $1.6bn development aid request from the Obama adminstration. Officials at the World Bank said they had yet to hear of the plan for a fund.
One Whitehall source said the idea was to stop development money for the tribal regions arriving "in penny packets" and to make sure it reached its target.
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