MSN News
Tuesday, February 17, 2009 Pakistan bows to Taliban threat on Shariat laws
The Pakistan government on Monday agreed to enforce Islamic law in large areas of its restive North West Frontier Province, including the Swat Valley, in a concession to buy peace in the region, which has been the scene of a raging Taliban insurgency. The government agreed to implement Islamic law and suspend a military offensive across a large swath of northwest Pakistan on Monday in concessions aimed at pacifying a spreading Taliban insurgency there. The Pakistani Taliban welcomed an agreement between religious hardliners and authorities to enforce Islamic law in the troubled Swat and nearby areas as the government said the pact would be approved by the President Asif Ali Zardari only after peace is restored to the area. Endorsing the pact signed by the North West Frontier Province government and Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariah Mohammadi chief Sufi Mohammad, Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said: "If Sufi Mohammad has signed the draft of the proposed Shariah package, then it is acceptable to us as he is an expert on Shariah." Swat, located about 160 km from Islamabad, was a popular tourist destination till about two years ago. The Taliban now controls most parts of the scenic valley and Fazlullah has waged a violent campaign to enforce Taliban-style Shariah law, prompting thousands of people to leave the region.
Meanwhile, Information Minister Sherry Rehman said President Asif Ali Zardari will approve the implementation of Islamic laws in Swat and Malakand after peace is restored in the region. The deal should not be seen as a "concession" to the militants, she said. "It is in no way a sign of the state's weakness. The public will of the population of the Swat region is at the centre of all efforts and it should be taken into account while debating the merits of this agreement," Rehman said. The announcement follows the declaration of a 10-day ceasefire by the Pakistani Taliban in the Swat valley. Several past deals with militants have failed and have been criticised by the United States as giving time to militants to re-group.
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