World | Pakistan
Government bows to militants' demand
The government has agreed to let judges handling court cases consider advice from Islamic scholars in parts of the tribal belt in the northwest, officials said on Tuesday.
- AP
- Published: 00:33 May 15, 2008
Peshawar: The government has agreed to let judges handling court cases consider advice from Islamic scholars in parts of the tribal belt in the northwest, officials said on Tuesday.
The decision marked a concession in peace talks aimed at ending conflict with Islamist militants along the frontier with Afghanistan.
Provincial officials negotiated with representatives of militant leader Maulana Fazlullah by appealing in part to popular frustration over failings in the justice system. The two groups agreed to regulations allowing Islamic law to play a role in the Malakand and Swat areas.
The ruling did not specify the extent to which Islamic law would be promoted in courts, but officials said the major element was allowing Islamic scholars to offer guidance to judges. "We are not introducing any new law," said Afrasiab Khattak, a senior official of the province's ruling Awami National Party. "These will be courts like anywhere in Pakistan, headed by normal civil and district judges."
The ruling is to be implemented next month, but "mechanics and other aspects" will be discussed by legal experts later, said a government official.
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