Pakistani government imposes Islamic Law in restive Swat

GHALLANAI: The North West Frontier Province (NWFP) government and Tahrik-e-Nifaz Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM), after finalization of an accord for the imposition  of Nizam-e-Adal( aversiuon of Islamic Law) in Malakand, have inked a Nizam-e-Adal accord at the end of the Jirga held at provincial capital, Peshawar on Monday.

Following the Jirga, NWFP Chief Minister, Amir Haider Khan Hoti, who was presiding over the Jirga, told the media that the enforcement of Nizam-e-Adal was a historic moment and it would come in force forthwith.

"Today an agreement has been signed between the government of NWFP and Maulana Sufi Mohammed,chief of the TNSM," provincial information minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain told media.

"All laws against Sharia will be abolished in Malakand Division and Sharia will be enforced under this justice system," he added.

The agreement will cover Malakand area, one of the districts of NWFP, which includes the troubled Swat valley.

"It is my hope that the armed people will disarm themselves, quit the path of violence and work for restoration of peace and tranquility in Swat," NWFP chief minister, Amir Haider Hoti said.

Twenty-nine delegates from the Movement for the Enforcement of Islamic Sharia, led by Maulana Muhammad Alam, attended the meeting today.

US, NATO and Afghan officials have criticised peace deals concluded with militants in Pakistan previously, saying that they have increased suicide attacks on international and Afghan forces across the border in Afghanistan.