Pakistani Government Releases Militant Leader Maulana Sufi Mohammad in Peace Deal

The Pakistani government released a high-ranking militant leader following negotiations to broker a peace deal with the Tehrik Niaz-e-Shariat Mohammadi movement.

After nearly seven years Maulana Sufi Mohammad was freed as officials from the TNSM agreed to a six-point peace plan with the Pakistani government that included a clause stating the killing of Pakistani police, military, or government officials is “un-Islamic.”

As part of the peace agreement the TNSM must also commit to creating “peace and restoration of the government's writ" in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP). The NWFP has been the site of severe fighting between the Pakistani military and militants tied to the TNSM.

Maulana Sufi Mohammad had been arrested in 2001 when he returned to Pakistan after leading militants into Afghanistan to aid the Taliban in their fight against the United States.

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