Source:
Washington PostISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Opposition is building among Pakistani politicians and media to a peace deal aimed at ending Taliban violence in a northwestern region after the Islamists challenged democratic rule and started taking over new areas.
Pakistan is struggling to come up with a coherent strategy to stop the spread of militant violence and influence, raising fears that the country could slowly slide into Taliban hands.
After failing to quell the Taliban through force, President Asif Ali Zardari last week approved enforcement of Islamic sharia law in the Swat valley and adjoining areas despite criticism from Western governments and Pakistani liberals and rights groups.
Critics said the approval of sharia law in the valley, 125 km (80 miles) northwest of Islamabad, was akin to appeasing the militants.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/22/AR2009042200555.html