Swat Peace Accord

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Country/entity: Pakistan
Taliban
Region: Asia and Pacific
Cross-regional
Agreement name: Swat Peace Accord
Date: 16 Feb 2009
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
India-Pakistan Conflict (1947 - ) and the Pakistani Taliban (2001 - )
Two distinct contexts have generated agreements.

India-Pakistan Conflict (1947 - )
The roots of the India-Pakistan Conflict lay in the partition of the British Indian Empire following the end of World War II, and the creation of the predominately Muslim Dominion of Pakistan (now Pakistan and Bangladesh) and the Union of India in 1947. Fuelled by Hindu and Muslim nationalism, the political partition spurred the largest mass migration as minorities sought reference among their communal majorities. Retaliatory violence on both sides led to the deaths of 200,000 to 500,000 people.

A few weeks following the partition, Pakistan sent tribal militias into the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir, sparking the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947. Two other wars broke out in 1965 and in 1991, as well as a number of skirmishes over the Siachan Glacier. The conflict has seen less casualties since the announcement of a ceasefire in 2003, despite frequent violations by both sides. Public unrest remains sporadic and there has been occasional actions by Islamic militants. In addition, despite a decrease in human rights conditions by occupying forces on both sides, abuses are still documented.

Another dimension of the conflict developed in 1997, after Pakistan announced a successful nuclear test. Since then there has been a proliferation of treaties ensuring clear lines of communication in regards to nuclear testing and accidents to deter accidental escalation.

Pakistan-Afghanistan-US Conflict (2001 - )
Since the 2000s, the Afghanistan war had a noticeable spill-over effect to Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban maintain several strongholds in the western parts of Pakistan, especially in the Northwest Tribal Region. Native Islamist guerrilla outfits also remain active in the region and in 2007 they formed the umbrella organisation known as the Pakistan Taliban until it splintered into four different groups in 2014.
Stage: Framework/substantive - partial
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Pakistan-Taliban process
Parties: Taliban; Pakistani Government
Third parties: -
Description: Short agreement of 14 points reaffirming a prisoner exchange, the implementation of Shari'a Law in Swat Valley, and placing restrictions on the Taliban, including refraining from attacking barber and music shops or showing weapons in public, among other points.

Agreement document: PK_090216_Swat Peace Accord.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Main category: Page 1, 14. The Taliban will allow women to work without any fear.

Women, girls and gender

Participation: No specific mention.
Equality: No specific mention.
Particular groups of women: No specific mention.
International law: No specific mention.
New institutions: No specific mention.
Violence against women: Violence against women→Gender-based violence/VAW (general)
Page 1, 14
The Taliban will allow women to work without any fear.
Transitional justice: No specific mention.
Institutional reform: No specific mention.
Development: No specific mention.
Implementation: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

TEXT OF SWAT PEACE ACCORD

(February 16, 2009)

The Sharia law will be imposed in Swat, including the whole Malakand division;

The Army will gradually withdraw security forces from the region;

The government and the Taliban will exchange prisoners;

The Taliban will recognise the writ of the government and they will cooperate with the local police;

The Taliban will halt attacks on barber and music shops;

The Taliban will not display weapons in public;

The Taliban will turn in heavy weapons like rocket launchers and mortars to the government;

The Taliban will not operate any training camps;

The Taliban will denounce suicide attacks;

A ban would be placed on raising private militias;

The Taliban will cooperate with the government to vaccinate children against diseases like polio;

The Madrassa of Maulana Fazlullah in Imam Dherai would be turned into an Islamic University;

Only licensed FM radio stations would be allowed to operate in the region

The Taliban will allow women to work without any fear.