Monday, February 16, 2009

Sharia Approved in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Feb 15: President Asif Ali Zardari has given a go-ahead to the NWFP government to enforce Sharia laws in the Malakand region, including Swat.

“The president’s approval was sought because the provincial government cannot make any amendment to laws in Malakand without his approval,” sources said.

Provincial Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain claimed on Sunday that the president had promulgated an ordinance to enforce Sharia in Malakand.

President’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar said that an official statement would be issued on Monday after a meeting between the government and leaders of the Tehrik Nifaz-i-Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM).

The Taliban of Swat announced a 10-day ceasefire on Sunday after the government and the TNSM reached an understanding about promulgating Sharia, termed ‘Nizam-i-Adl Regulation’, in Malakand region.

“Taliban have declared a unilateral ceasefire for 10 days as a goodwill gesture. Our fighters will not attack security personnel and government installations,” Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said.

Under the proposed Nizam-i-Adl Regulation the appellate and revisional jurisdiction of superior courts will be replaced with that of the Federal Shariat Court and executive magistracy will be revived in the Provincially Administered Tribal Areas. The Federal Sharia Court will then be the lastcourt of appeal.

Source: Pakistan Dawn

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