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Sufi threatens to quit peace agreement if promises not fulfilled

* TNSM chief says no concrete steps taken so far to enforce sharia in Malakand

By Ghulam Farooq

MINGORA: Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Sufi Muhammad said on Tuesday he was not satisfied with the progress on the peace deal signed with the NWFP government.

Addressing a press conference at Mingora, he said that the newly appointed qazis were without any power and could not hear any important cases.

He warned that if the TNSM’s demands were not met, they would wind up their peace camp in Swat and leave the area, and the government would be responsible for the ensuing law and order problems.

He said that the government pledged to enforce Sharia in Malakanad division including Kohistan on February 16, but had taken no concrete steps so far in this regard. He also said the government had not so far abolished laws contrary to Islam as it had earlier promised.

Meanwhile, hundreds of students from various colleges of Mingora city held a protest demonstration on Tuesday against the Malakand University and the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education in Saidu Sharif for charging of examination fees from students. They said the institutions were acting illegally because the government had already announced to waive the fees. The protesters blocked the Mingora-Saidu Sharif Road for several hours.

Meanwhile, a meeting of top leaders of the Swat Taliban was in progress in Baha area of Matta tehsil on Tuesday. Sources privy to the discussions said the participants would talk about the peace deal signed by the provincial government and the TNSM, the release of prisoners from both sides and other issues. Important Taliban commanders and shura (council) members are attending the meeting, they said. The meeting will continue for three days.

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