Pak Parliament endorses move to enforce Shariah in Swat

Pakistan's parliament on Monday endorsed a move to enforce Islamic laws in the restive northwestern Swat valley, which is largely controlled by the Taliban, and asked the President to accord approval to the measure to usher in peace across the country.

The National Assembly or lower house of the parliament adopted a resolution recommending that President Asif Ali Zardari should accord approval to the Nizam-e-Adal Regulation to implement Shariah or Islamic laws in Swat.

The resolution was passed following a debate in the House. Parliamentarians of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which is part of the PPP-led ruling coalition, stayed away from proceedings during the voting on the resolution.

The North West Frontier Province government drafted the Nizam-e-Adal Regulation after reaching an agreement in February with the Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariah Muhammadi (TNSM), a group of religious hardliners, on enforcing Shariah in Swat.

In return, the TNSM began peace parleys with the local Taliban, who called a truce in the region located just 160 km from Islamabad.

Western powers, including Britain and the US, as well as India have expressed concerns about the peace deal in Swat. Observers have said it would embolden the militants to demand the enforcement of Shariah in other parts of Pakistan.