Militants in Pakistan's Swat valley say the government must deliver its promise of implementing Taliban-inspired laws by March 15.
Sufi Mohammad, a pro-Taliban cleric, told reporters in Swat's main town of Mingora on Sunday that Islamabad had not yet taken any practical steps toward implementing the Taliban-style judicial system in the region.
He warned authorities of protests if the government failed to set up the courts that were agreed upon during ceasefire talks two weeks ago.
"If Nifaz-e-Adl (a system of justice) is not enforced by March 15, protest camps will be set up in Malakand," he said.
The peace agreement binds the government to implement Taliban-style strict laws in the Malakand division, which comprises Swat and its adjoining areas.
In exchange, local Taliban militants promised to end their two-year violent insurgency.
The deal, however, raised alarm among moderate forces amid concerns it will extend extremists' influence in Pakistan.
The insurgents waged a violent campaign to enforce Wahabbi-inspired laws, which included beheading opponents and bombing girls' schools in the troubled region.
Pakistan's President, Asif Zardari, says the Taliban is required to lay down their arms as part of the deal.
However, local media reports said there was no sign of disarmament and that the Taliban had effectively won control over Swat.
Swat, once a popular holiday destination, has been blighted by violence since 2007.
Pakistan is under increasing international pressure to eliminate militant sanctuaries.
No comments:
Post a Comment