President Asif Ali Zardari
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Mon, 13 Apr 2009 23:00:56 GMT
Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari approves Taliban rule in the Swat valley while the country's army surrenders the restive valley to militants.
Zardari's spokeswoman, Farahnaz Ispahani, confirmed that the president signed the regulation on Monday night.
This is while Pakistani lawmakers had passed a unanimous resolution early on Monday morning urging for the presidents signature.
The parliament passed the measure without debate as the radical insurgents had warned lawmakers against opposing the deal.
Taliban had said the MPs who opposed the deal in parliament would be considered apostates and would face the death penalty in the insurgents' courts.
The bill will introduce a harsh Taliban judicial system in the troubled Malakand division, comprising of six north-western districts including Swat.
The developments come after -- in late February -- local authorities in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP) agreed to recognize Taliban's rule in Swat Valley as government troops surrendered to the insurgents in the volatile area.
Pakistan's northwest has been the scene of some of the worst fighting between Pakistani forces and Taliban-linked militants in recent months.
Zardari had said earlier that he would only sign a final order if militants lay down their arms. However, last Monday Taliban stormed the district of Buner -- some 100 km (60 miles) northwest of Islamabad, took control of adjoining areas in the district, and threatened to take over Islamabad.
The government also raised the threat level in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad to 'red' amid threats of terror following Taliban's advancements.
The Taliban have repeatedly hinted that they would take their war to the capital. "The day is not far when Islamabad will be in the hands of the mujahideen," a Taliban Commander said on Wednesday.
The Taliban militants have set up a parallel administration with courts, a tax system, patrols and checkpoints in the restive Swat Valley and the troubled northwestern region.
The insurgents have also formed forces in the region to punish people who violate their decrees.
The Taliban has long campaigned to impose Wahhabi style laws, which include beheading and storming girls' schools.
Zardari's spokeswoman, Farahnaz Ispahani, confirmed that the president signed the regulation on Monday night.
This is while Pakistani lawmakers had passed a unanimous resolution early on Monday morning urging for the presidents signature.
The parliament passed the measure without debate as the radical insurgents had warned lawmakers against opposing the deal.
Taliban had said the MPs who opposed the deal in parliament would be considered apostates and would face the death penalty in the insurgents' courts.
The bill will introduce a harsh Taliban judicial system in the troubled Malakand division, comprising of six north-western districts including Swat.
The developments come after -- in late February -- local authorities in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province (NWFP) agreed to recognize Taliban's rule in Swat Valley as government troops surrendered to the insurgents in the volatile area.
Pakistan's northwest has been the scene of some of the worst fighting between Pakistani forces and Taliban-linked militants in recent months.
Zardari had said earlier that he would only sign a final order if militants lay down their arms. However, last Monday Taliban stormed the district of Buner -- some 100 km (60 miles) northwest of Islamabad, took control of adjoining areas in the district, and threatened to take over Islamabad.
The government also raised the threat level in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad to 'red' amid threats of terror following Taliban's advancements.
The Taliban have repeatedly hinted that they would take their war to the capital. "The day is not far when Islamabad will be in the hands of the mujahideen," a Taliban Commander said on Wednesday.
The Taliban militants have set up a parallel administration with courts, a tax system, patrols and checkpoints in the restive Swat Valley and the troubled northwestern region.
The insurgents have also formed forces in the region to punish people who violate their decrees.
The Taliban has long campaigned to impose Wahhabi style laws, which include beheading and storming girls' schools.
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