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| India-Pakistan |
| Sufi threatens to abandon peace efforts |
| 2009-03-25 |
| Tanzim-e-Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi chief Maulana Sufi Muhammad on Tuesday threatened to halt his efforts for the restoration of peace if the government did not immediately nullify all ìun-Islamicî laws in the Malakand Division and empower Qazi courts to hear all cases. Addressing a press conference here, Sufi Muhammad said though he was satisfied with the announcement of Shariah by the government, he was disappointed with the progress of the peace deal. "I am not convinced of the progress so far made with regard to the peace deal. The government had promised to declare all unIslamic laws in vogue in Malakand null and void but it is yet to be done despite the passage of 38 days," the TNSM chief said. He also accused the government of not entrusting Qazi courts with authority to hear all cases. "Qazis in the newly-established Shariah courts are sitting idle as they have not been mandated to hear crucial cases. I am not satisfied with the Qazi courts either," he said. Sufi Muhammad threatened to quit the peace efforts in Swat if the government did not act to practically rescind all ìunIslamicî laws and authorise Qazi courts to take up all cases. Meanwhile, a crucial meeting attended by the Taliban Shura members and key commanders was held in Biha village of Matta Tehsil. Sources said the meeting would continue for three days. They said the peace deal between the government and the TNSM and release of Taliban prisoners was on agenda. Meanwhile, hundreds of students of Government Postgraduate College and Degree College Mingora took out a procession to protest the collection of admission fees from students despite a clear-cut directive by the government to write off the charges. They blocked road for all kinds of traffic at Kutchery Chowk and demanded of the government to keep its word. The students of the Government Degree College Matta also protested the collection of fees. Speaking on the occasion, the students alleged that the Malakand University in Chakdara and Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education Saidu Sharif were still taking fees from the students, which was a violation of the government orders. In Ningolai area of Kabal Tehsil, people blocked Matta-Mingora road to protest the security forces' check-posts, bunkers and other blockades in civilian areas. |
| Posted by:Fred |