Lahore, Apr 28 : A campaign is already afoot to boycott the purchase of Swat's famous emeralds, because the money could be used to buy mortars, roadside bombs and suicide belts for the Taliban.

The "blood emeralds" have joined the Afghan opium as a source of Taliban lucre.

Swat is rich in orchards, timber - and gems. The Taliban have seized two of the emerald mines, declared them a trust and are mining them round the clock.

Lahore, Apr 28 : Differences have surfaced during the recent Pakistan Muslim League-N Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting chaired by former premier Nawaz Sharif over support to the PPP-led Government to protect the interests of Pakistan while others have advocated for solo flight.

Islamabad, Apr. 27 : Despite the military offensive in the Lower Dir region of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), the Swat peace deal between the government and the Taliban is intact.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's spokesperson, Farhatullah Babar, in a statement said : "The military's offensive in Lower Dir does not void the pact."

Lahore, Apr. 27 : Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said the government would be compelled to review its stand on the Swat peace deal and the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation if the people of the region opined the accord has failed to establish peace.

"When the people of Swat feel there is no peace even after the regulation, then the provincial government, assembly and the parliament can give their opinion on this issue," The Daily Times quoted Zardari, as saying.

Lahore, Apr.

Lahore, Apr. 27 : The Tehrik-i-Nifaz Shariat-i-Muhammadi has opposed the military offensive in the Lower Dir area of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), saying the operation is a violation of the Swat peace deal.

TNSM spokesman Izatt Khan said the house and a seminary owned by TNSM chief Maulana Sufi Muhammad has been damaged in the military operation.

"The government is responsible for this damage," The Daily Times quoted Khan, as saying.